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Dutchman's Breeches Dicentra cucullaria

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Dutchman's Breeches:

Phonetic Spelling
dy-SEN-trah kuk-yoo-LAIR-ee-uh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Dutchman's Breeches is a native perennial wildflower occurring in rich or rocky deciduous moist woods and ravines and in the mountains. This woodland perennial can spread to cover considerable areas. It prefers humus-rich, acid to neutral soils and tolerates clay soils. 

In spring the basal ferny leaves appear along with a leafless arching stem bearing a row of fragrant white pantaloon-shaped flowers. It blooms in March and adds early interest to the garden. By summer the plant goes dormant. Use in woodland and shade gardens. Plant with later appearing perennials.

Propagation can be done by division of crowns or root cuttings in spring or fall.  Seeds need moist cold stratification and can be slow and difficult to germinate. Seeds are spread by ants. All parts of this plant are toxic if consumed in large quantities.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#fragrant flowers#white flowers#shade garden#spring flowers#rabbit resistant#small mammals#bumblebee friendly#NC native#cascading#deer resistant#native garden#native wildflower#flowers early spring#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#wildflower#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#fragrant flowers#white flowers#shade garden#spring flowers#rabbit resistant#small mammals#bumblebee friendly#NC native#cascading#deer resistant#native garden#native wildflower#flowers early spring#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#wildflower#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dicentra
    Species:
    cucullaria
    Family:
    Papaveraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    E. Canada to N. & E. U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , CT , DC , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer and rabbit resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The oval seed capsules taper into points at both ends. These capsules split apart into 2 segments to release many seeds. Fruits appear from May to June.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Urn
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    3/4 inch long white flowers bloom on 5-10 inch long arching leafless stems and resemble upside-down pantaloons. 2 inflated petals form spurs. Blooms March-May.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Deltoid
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The triangular-shaped greyish-green leaves are 3-6 inches long, basilar, stand upright on long stems and are deeply cut and fernlike.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are tan to reddish-brown and upright
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Trembling, staggering, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, labored breathing if eaten in large quantities. Skin irritation after repeated contact with the cell sap is mild and lasts a short time.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Several isoquinolone alkaloids.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems