- 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
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.
