Dutchman’s Breeches
Dicentra cucullaria (FUMARIACEAE)
Planting and Growing Dutchman’s Breeches
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow Dutchman’s breeches in the accompanying table’s tabs:
-
- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of Dutchman’s breeches
- Season of bloom and planting time for Dutchman’s breeches
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for Dutchman’s breeches
- When, how deep, and where to plant Dutchman’s breeches
- How to plant Dutchman’s breeches
- Watering, fertilizing, care and pests or diseases of Dutchman’s breeches
- Landscape and indoor uses of Dutchman’s breeches
- Comments about Dutchman’s breeches and its features
Growing Dutchman’s Breeches
Spring tuber. Deciduous. One of 8 species of woody herbs in the Dicentra genus. Stands to 10 in. (25 cm) tall. Feathery, deeply toothed, short, light blue green leaves form a mid-height bush.
Closely related species with similar care needs include Golden eardrops, Dicentra chrysantha; fringed bleeding heart, Dicentra eximia; western bleeding heart, Dicentra formosa; and common bleeding heart, Dicentra spectabilis.
Dutchman's Breeches Planting and Care Guide
Flowers
Spring–summer. Pink, white, often tipped in cream yellow. Multiple unique, nodding, pantaloon-shaped flowers, to 2 in. (50 mm) long, in branching clusters.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 3–10; ground hardy, zones 4–9.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained humus. Fertility: Rich. 5.5–6.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Autumn in partial shade. Space 12–18 in. (30–45 cm) apart, 1–2 in. (25–50 mm) deep.
Proper Care
Moderate. Keep moist during growth. Fertilize until buds form. Remove withered foliage. Mulch. Protect from heat. Propagate by division in autumn, seed in spring.
Lifting and Storing
Dark, 50–70°F (10–21°C), in net bag or open basket of dry peat moss.
About This Species
Good choice for beds, borders in natural, rock gardens. Self-seeds. Disease resistant.