Dutchman’s Britches

Dutchman’s Britches or Dutchman’s breeches are uniquely-shaped flowers that form a “V” and are so named for looking like a pair of old-fashioned Dutch pants drying upside-down on a clothesline. The botanical name Dicentra comes from the Greek word meaning two-spurred, and cucullaria refers to a hood.

Dutchman’s breeches are a stunning perennial native North American spring ephemeral with flowers that bloom for about two weeks; its attractive foliage disappears shortly after.

The plant is straightforward to care for as long as it’s planted in the proper location and will reward you with lots of visually unique flowers. They are often found in rocky, sloping, moist, shaded woodland areas in the wild. Once they’ve bloomed in early spring, the stems and leaves will drop to the ground, and the plant will go dormant until the following year. They essentially clear out, making space for other late spring or summer blooms to fill in. They’re a great option for gardeners looking for a consistently blooming garden. Also, keep in mind that this plant takes several years to mature. You can expect to wait three to four years before your newly planted Dutchman’s breeches produces early spring blooms.

Though Dutchman’s breeches can adapt to various soil conditions, the plant will do best in moist, rich organic matter and well-draining soil. Moisture is vital during the weeks leading up to the plant’s brief bloom, but it’s also helpful for Dutchman’s breeches to experience drier soil once it reaches dormancy.

Dutchman’s breeches require an average amount of water to grow successfully. In colder zones, most of this water is provided by melting snow in early spring, so it’s not typically necessary to provide water manually in those areas. If manual watering is needed in your region, a good rule of thumb is to allow the ground to dry slightly—but never completely—before watering the plant again.

Based on folklore, Dutchman’s breeches were used historically for treating ailments by Native Americans and pioneers.  One of its common names, Little Blue Staggers, is derived from its ability to induce drunken staggering if cattle graze on it, due to narcotic and toxic substances in the poppy-related genus. The Iroquois Indians used it for stamina while running, Other Native Americans and early white practitioners used it for syphilis, some skin conditions, and as a blood purifier. The plant contains an alkaloid that depresses the central nervous system and is used in the treatment of paralysis and tremors. Menominee Indians from Wisconsin used the plant as a love charm.