Dutchman’s Breeches

A few years ago my brother-in-law gave me some Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) plants that he dug up on his family’s farm. I planted them in the shade as he instructed and every year since I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the delicate little plants. Each spring they pop up out of the ground and display their funny white blooms that look like pantaloons flapping in the breeze on a clothesline.

Dutchman’s Breeches are a native woodland wildflower. They can tolerate moderate frosts and after they’ve bloomed in the spring they go dormant and the foliage disappears until the following season. They grow best in moist, shady to partially-shady conditions. The foliage is just as lovely as the flowers.