Alphabetical Plant Listing

Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman's Breeches)

Dutchman's Breeches, Bicuculla cucullaria, Dicentra cucullaria var. occidentalis, Dicentra occidentalis


Native to eastern North America, Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman's Breeches) is a compact, bushy perennial forming a ravishing clump of feathery, blue-green, finely cut leaves. In mid to late spring, gracefully arching stems are studded with pantaloon-shaped white flowers adorned with yellow tips. Borne in an elegant row along leafless stems, the blossoms dangle like porcelain earrings above the foliage. Dutchman's Breeches dies down soon after flowering. Dicentra cucullaria is a delightful early spring garden companion and a lovely addition to the woodland garden.

  • Grows up to 6-12 in. tall and wide (15-30 cm). This shade perennial can spread to cover considerable areas.
  • Thrives in part shade and is easily grown in fertile, humus-rich, moist, preferably neutral or slightly alkaline, well-drained soils. It is full shade tolerant but be aware that too much shade will result in few flowers.
  • Great for banks and slopes, edging, underplanting shrubs, woodland gardens, coastal gardens, cottage gardens or as a groundcover.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for slugs and snails. Rabbit resistant
  • Propagate by division in early spring or after the leaves have died down. Propagate by seed - sow seed as soon as ripe or in spring.
  • Native to eastern North America.
  • All parts cause stomach ache if ingested.

Not sure which Dicentra - Bleeding Hearts to pick?
Compare All Dicentra - Bleeding Hearts

Buy Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman's Breeches)

Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Dicentra - Bleeding Hearts
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Height 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm)
Spread 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma
Tolerance Clay Soil, Rabbit
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage

Buy Plants

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Dicentra - Bleeding Hearts

Guides with Dicentra - Bleeding Hearts


By Mike Truchon, Yvontrep, Shutterstock, Doug McGrady, Flickr

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Dicentra - Bleeding Hearts
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Height 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm)
Spread 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma
Tolerance Clay Soil, Rabbit
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Dicentra - Bleeding Hearts

Guides with Dicentra - Bleeding Hearts

Plant Calculator

How many Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman's Breeches) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman's Breeches)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.