This product does not ship to: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA

Dutchman's Breeches

American Beauties Native Plants

$38.49
(No reviews yet) Write a Review
Availability : Out of Stock
$38.49
This product does not ship to: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA
  • Full Shade to Partial Shade (0 - 4 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
  • Mature Height 3 - 6 Inches
  • Mature Spread 6 - 12 Inches
  • Growing Zones 3 - 7

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. 

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

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

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 7
Plant Type: Perennials
Light Exposure: Full Shade to Partial Shade (0 - 4 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
Mature Height: 3 - 6 Inches
Mature Spread: 6 - 12 Inches
Spacing: 6 - 12 Inches
Habit: Mounded
Flower Color(s): White
Flower Description:
Bloom Period: Spring And Summer
Foliage Type: Herbaceous
Foliage Color(s): Green
Foliage Description:
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering
Watering: Average
Resists: Rabbit, Disease, Pests & Insects
Tolerates: N/A
Attracts: Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Container Role:
Uses: Borders, Containers, Edging, Groundcovers, Mass Planting
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Low Maintenance, Native to North America
Brand:
Common Name: Dutchman's Breeches
Other Name(s): Dutchman's Breeches
Scientific Name: Dicentra cucuallaria
SKU:
1231015057-pc

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

4.5 Pot

4.5" Pot
 Also Know As:
   4.5" Container

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months
 Plant Size:
   ~ 3"-6"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
 Volume:
   1.42 quarts

Quart Pot

Quart Pot
 Also Know As:
   Quart

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months - 1 year
 Plant Size:
   ~ 4"-8"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
 Volume:
   1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart

2.5 Quart
 Also Know As:
   2.5 Quart Pot

 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 8"-12"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
 Volume:
   2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot

#1 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #1 Container
    1 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 10"-14"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 7"H x 7.75"W
 Volume:
   2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot

#2 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #2 Container
    2 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 3 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-18"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
 Volume:
   1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot

#3 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #3 Container
    3 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 2 - 4 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-30"
 Pot Size:
   ~9.5"H x 11"W
 Volume:
   2.32-2.76 gallons


For more detailed information, please click here.

Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)

Plant Addicts guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy and healthy, but the plant(s) are being shipped through the mail and accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.

For information on how to care for you new plant please check out our guide. Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty whether you’re new or an expert. There are many variables outside our control and yours that can cause the demise of your plant(s). Examples would be hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, disease, insects & many other factors. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all the unknowns and will replace your plant if it moves on to the plant afterlife.

The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant purchase. We will cover 100% of the price of the plant but the warranty does not cover shipping cost. Simply let us know if your plant has died within one year of receiving it and we’ll get you a new one shipped out. We may ask for photos for documentation purposes but again we’ll try to make it as easy as possible.

For more information, please go to our Shipping & Returns page at the bottom of the website.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations

Plant Shipping

Time of Order:

Summer Shipping

  • If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.  
    • We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location


Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.

It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.