Dutchman's Breeches

Picture a little boy walking towards you with an arched emerald green pole resting upon his shoulder. At the top of his pole are clusters of puffy, pearl-white, helium-filled balloons shaped like “breeches”, or pants, hanging upside down. You can’t resist marveling at the unusual shape of the balloons. Well, this is what you will experience upon seeing Dutchman's Breeches, a unique herbaceous perennial featuring verdant stalks with clusters of miniature white florets shaped like “breeches” hanging upside down from their ends, blooming during spring and summer. Offering additional unique interest by producing delicate, forest-green, fern-like foliage and fading when most other perennials are just about to start blooming in early summer, Dutchman’s Breeches is truly a garden’s conversation piece.

This deciduous North American native is otherwise known as Dicentra cucullaria var. occidentalis, syn. Bicuculla cucullaria, Dutchman's Britches, Boy Britches, Bleeding Heart, Kitten Breeches, and Staggerweed. It attracts bees and forms clumps as it grows. Reaching a maximum height of only 3 to 6 inches and a spread of 6 to 12 inches, this compact, fragrant, flowering plant is also relatively disease and deer resistant. Low maintenance and easy to grow, Dutchman's Breeches is perfect for any new gardener with little spare time who wants to add unique interest to a border, bed, or container. 

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Dutchman's Breeches Care

Dutchman's Breeches is toxic to humans and pets so take reasonable precautions while working with this perennial. Wearing gloves, plant this perennial during the fall in full to partial shade. Ensure the soil is loamy, moist, and well-draining. The soil’s pH should be about 7.0. Amend the soil with perlite/sand to improve drainage if needed. This perennial requires about an inch of water per week during its growing season. Dutchman's Breeches does not need fertilizer unless the soil is exceptionally nutrient deficient. If so, add compost or a balanced (10-10-10) fertilizer to amend the soil.  

A low-maintenance plant, Dutchman’s Breeches does not require frequent pruning. To encourage blooming, however, deadhead spent flowers. To avert disease, trim dead, diseased, and/or damaged foliage. After this plant goes dormant, cut back foliage to a couple of inches above the soil level.

Dutchman's Breeches Spacing

Dutchman’s Breeches works well alone as a specimen or with others in beds, borders, and banks. This perennial is also easily grown in containers, adding interest to porches and decks. Add companion plants including ferns, wild ginger, and blue cohosh to Dutchman’s Breeches.

Dutchman's Breeches Information