Dicentra cucullaria

Common Names

Dutchman's Breeches, Dutchman-Breeches, Dutchman's Britches, Bachelor's Breeches, Boys and Girls, Breeches Flower, Butterfly Banners, Fly Flower, Indian Boys and Girls, Monk's Hood, Pantalon Flower, Soldier's Cap, Staggerweed, Turkey Corn, White Eardrop, White Heart

Summary

Native to eastern North America, Dutchman's breeches is a herbaceous perennial and spring ephemeral with blue-green, finely divided, fernlike leaves; arching stems bear nodding white flowers that resemble inverted pantaloons, often with pink suffusion and yellow to orange-yellow tips, arranged in racemes of 3–14; blooms in early spring in rich, moist, well-drained woodland soils, and above-ground foliage withers and the plant goes dormant by summer.

Culture and use: prefers partial to full shade with consistently moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter; hardy to zones 3a–7b; propagation by division in spring or fall or by seed with cold stratification; self-sows and spreads to naturalize; deer and rabbits typically avoid; all parts are toxic if ingested and handling may cause dermatitis; naturally suited to woodland shade gardens and naturalized landscapes, providing early-season interest and habitat for pollinators.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-12 inches

Spread

4-20 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-7

Sunlight Requirements

Partial shade to full shade.

Soil Type

Rich, well-drained loam with abundant organic matter; pH 5.5–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

5.5–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Bloom Color

White, occasionally pink

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Blue-green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall foliage

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Grows slowly; 2–5 years

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Root cuttings, Bulblets

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, other long-tongued insects, butterflies, birds