- 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 Known 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 Known 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 Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 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 Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known 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 Known 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 Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes 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 more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
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 a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
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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