About
Dicentra cucullaria, Dutchman's breeches, is a tuberous perennial forming dense clumps of deeply divided, blue-green, finely cut leaves to 25 cm long. From late winter to early spring, arching stems carry the distinctive, white (occasionally pink), yellow-tipped, baggy-spurred flowers � the resemblance to hanging pantaloons is unmistakable. A charming woodlander for a moist, shaded border.
About the genus
Dicentra, the bleeding hearts, are rhizomatous or tuberous perennials with attractively divided or fern-like leaves and pendent, heart-shaped or pouched flowers, usually in pink, white, red or yellow, in arching panicles or racemes in spring and early summer. Excellent woodland and shade-tolerant garden plants.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Native tofresh-green leaves to 45 cm long
Fragranceglaucous beneath. Branching
Toxicityarching stems carry pendulous
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Can be grown in a container; water in dry periods 5760,diascia-lilacina,Diascia lilacina,lilac-coloured twinspur,Dicentra formosa
Pruningthe western bleeding heart
Propagationis a wide-spreading
Pest resistancerhizomatous perennial with abundant
Disease resistancelobed