Dutchman’s Breeches, also known as Dicentra cucullate, is a perennial wildflower native to the Eastern portion of the United States. It can also be found in the wooded areas of the Pacific Northwest, though more rarely. It blooms from March to April and goes dormant by mid-summer. The delicate-looking flowers on this plant range in color from white to a very light pink and are light yellow at the tip.
Dutchman's Breeches Flower
The flowers resemble a pair of pants hanging upside down, with the ankle on top. The small flowers, about ¾ in., appear in rows of leafless stems that protrude through the foliage. The leaves on them are roughly 4 inches long and resemble those on a fern, are deeply cut, and are greyish-green. These plants are smaller, just one foot tall and one foot wide. They thrive best with an average amount of moisture in well-drained and humus soil and, in part, fully shaded areas.
Pollinators Love The Dutchman's Breeches
Typically, Dutchman's Breeches are pollinated by bumblebees, which can tap the nectar with their long proboscis. Honeybees can also pollinate them, but not as easily, as they can only collect the pollen with their front feet.
Information Regarding The Dutchman's Breeches
Dutchman’s Breeches are best left in nature. However, they aren't typically used as a border if they are found in a garden because they go dormant by summer. If these plants are used in a garden, they should be planted in October or early spring. It should be noted that they grow from underground tubers; therefore, if they are planted in the right conditions, they spread rapidly. They can be tamed by digging up, removing, or replanting the tubers.