Dutchman's Breeches

Dutchman’s Breeches - Dicentra cucullaria is a Native Wildflower

Dutchman's Breeches - Dicentra cucullaria. The Dutchman's Breeches is a wildflower that is native to eastern North America. It typically grows on forest floors, rocky woods, slopes, ledges, valleys, ravines and along streams. The name "Dutchman's Breeches" comes from their white flowers that resemble white breeches. The white flowers do not produce any fragrance and each flower has two yellow lobes at the base that open up like wings. The plant typically grows to 12" tall and has finely divided, fern-like, bluish or grayish green leaves. The Dutchman's Breech tends to bloom in the early spring (from March to May) and typically thrive in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil.

Dutchman’s breeches are part of the Papaveraceae family and are native to Nova Scotia, North Carolina West to Kansas.  Dutchman’s breeches are easily recognized and commonly grows on slopes, valleys, along streams, rocky woodlands and along forest floors. These plants will go dormant in summer, so it is not considered as a good border plant for your garden. Dry soils will speed up the dormant process; it is tolerant of clay soils and rabbits. It blooms its white flowers with a slightly pinkish tinge in March, its shape is said to almost resembling pantaloons which is why it’s called Dutchman’s breeches.  These are unique flowers as they appear on the plant during the spring.  They provide gorgeous color and look amazing in gardens and natural areas.  These plants also do very well when planted in large containers.  They display a very natural look and feel as they grow and provide a gorgeous appearance during the early part of spring. 

 Dutchman Breeches Grow on Forest Floors, Rocky Woods and along Streams

These leaves can be crushed into a paste-like substance and can be used to keep muscle limber.  The plant also has alkaloid that helps with the nervous system and is often used in essential oils to treat tremors and paralysis.

  Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria L) produces distinctively shaped white or pink flowers between March and April. This perennial grows wild in Eastern half of North America and across parts of the Pacific Northwest and Idaho. Gardeners enjoy planting Dutchman's Breeches in partly shaded, moist locations from Zone 3 through Zone 9.

 Characteristic Flowers

  Dutchman's Breeches, a relative of Bleeding Hearts, also produces unusual flowers. They hang in rows along with slender stalks. The plant gained its colorful name centuries ago due to the resemblance of its blossoms to old-fashioned upside-down men's trousers. These delicate blooms won't leave the stem without wilting, but they contribute to fascinating horticultural displays every Spring. 

A Woodland Treasure

  The delicate, lacy dark green leaves of the Dutchman's Breeches bear a close similarity to ferns. Their compound lobes extend from the center of each leaf like a fringe. This beautiful forest plant typically ranges in height from 4 inches to a foot, making it an excellent edging selection for shaded gardens.

 Dormant by The End of Summer

  Many plants fall dormant during the late Autumn or early Winter. Dutchman's Breeches proves unusual by entering dormancy earlier than most other flowers. This perennial produces seed packets which reportedly carry a strong resemblance to grains of rice. Its unique properties make Dutchman's Breeches exceptional!

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