Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)Fumitory Family Greyish-green, fern-like leaves emerge in February, followed by creamy white blooms in March. 2-6 pant-shaped flowers dangle upside down on a long stalk enticing early emerging long tongue bees. Bloom time is relatively short, but the foliage will remain attractive through the spring before slowly turning yellow and going dormant in the summer. This spring ephemeral can tolerate somewhat more average soils, but ideally would be in rich woodland soil. Will go dormant faster in sunnier, drier conditions. Blooms: White, 2-3 weeks, Mar-AprLeaves: Grey-green, fern like leaves are very attractive–will turn yellow and go dormant in summerHeight: 4-8” Space: 1-2’Soil: Average-Moist, well drainedExposure: Shade-Part ShadeFauna: Mostly long tongue bees, seeds are ant distributedSeeds: Tapered capsules contain many shiny black seeds with elaiosomesDeer Resistance: HighZone: 3-7Native Status: NC native, common in the Mountains, uncommon in the Piedmont, rare in the Coastal PlainProvenance: NC & VA, asexually propagated
