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Dutchman's Breeches Seeds

Dicentra cucullaria

5.00 (2 reviews)
  • HOW TO GROW
  • FAST FACTS
  • REVIEWS

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: For the fastest germination, mix the seed with moist sand and store it in a 65 degrees F location for 2 weeks, followed by 6 weeks in the refrigerator. For fall planting, Dutchman's Breeches seeds can be sown outdoors after the first two weeks of warmth; germination should take place in late spring. To start the seed indoors, direct sow the seeds just below the surface of the soil in a flat; keep the soil consistently moist and at a temperature of 65 degrees F until germination, which is naturally slow and unpredictable and may take anywhere from 1-3 months. Seedlings can be grown in individual pots over their first winter and transplanted in the spring after the last frost.

Growing: Keep developing and blooming plants evenly moist, but let the soil dry out after the plant goes dormant in the summer. Wet soil in the winter will cause root damage. This plant will reseed itself in good growing conditions, though it does not become invasive. After several years of growth, the clusters of tubers at the roots can be divided in late fall for new plants. Watch out for slugs and snails, which can cause damage. This plant resists deer.

Harvesting: This plant is mildly toxic to both humans and animals, and can cause skin irritation when handled.

Seed Saving: After blooming, this plant will produce green seedpods that eventually turn papery and brown. Remove Dutchman's Breeches seeds from their pods, and either plant them immediately or store them in the refrigerator until planting.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Dicentra cucullaria

Species Origin: US Native Wildflower

Type: Native Wildflowers

Life Cycle: Perennial

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

US Regions: Mountain, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast

Seeds per Ounce: 16,000

Stratification: Warm/Wet for 12 Weeks, then Cold/Wet for 12 Weeks - Repeat

Germination Ease: Stratify 24 Weeks

Sunlight: Shade

Height: 10 Inches

Color: White

Bloom Season: Blooms Early Spring

Dutchman's Breeches Seeds 5.0
Review By Black Brook Farm

Great Woodland Find

We have been looking to add some of these spring ephemerals to our woodland. We used to have them, but haven't found them growing wild for a few years now. Looks like the seed is a little tricky to get to germinate, but it should be worth it.

Dutchman's Breeches Seeds 5.0
Review By Lord Andrew Barham

tentative review

Just got seeds today and have stuck 'em in the fridge for now. Will be able to talk about germination rates after I've sown them and seen what they do. Very impressed with how quickly they got here. Wish I could say the same for some of the other seed venders I've bought from.

Size Price Quantity
XL Mylar Packet (~40 Seeds) $3.96 -+
1/64 Oz Mylar (0.44g) $7.96 Notify Me
1/16 Oz Mylar (1.77g) $19.20 $14.40 Notify Me
1/4 Oz Mylar (7.09g) $56.00 $42.00 Notify Me
1 Oz Mylar (~16,000 Seeds) $160.00 $120.00 Notify Me
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DESCRIPTION

This delicate beauty blooms with the earliest of the spring flowers. Unusual in shape, the white blossoms resemble pantaloons hung out to dry. This perennial will take a few years to become established and bloom.
Dicentra cucullaria is a delicate beauty that blooms with the earliest of the woodland flowers. It comes from the Dicentra genus, which also includes many Japanese species of wildflower such as the bleeding heart. The Dicentra name means "two-spurred," referring to the distinctive shape of the blossoms in this family. The common name of Dicentra cucullaria, Dutchman's Breeches, is also a result of the shape of the blossoms (which look like white pantaloons hung out to dry).

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: For the fastest germination, mix the seed with moist sand and store it in a 65 degrees F location for 2 weeks, followed by 6 weeks in the refrigerator. For fall planting, Dutchman's Breeches seeds can be sown outdoors after the first two weeks of warmth; germination should take place in late spring. To start the seed indoors, direct sow the seeds just below the surface of the soil in a flat; keep the soil consistently moist and at a temperature of 65 degrees F until germination, which is naturally slow and unpredictable and may take anywhere from 1-3 months. Seedlings can be grown in individual pots over their first winter and transplanted in the spring after the last frost.

Growing: Keep developing and blooming plants evenly moist, but let the soil dry out after the plant goes dormant in the summer. Wet soil in the winter will cause root damage. This plant will reseed itself in good growing conditions, though it does not become invasive. After several years of growth, the clusters of tubers at the roots can be divided in late fall for new plants. Watch out for slugs and snails, which can cause damage. This plant resists deer.

Harvesting: This plant is mildly toxic to both humans and animals, and can cause skin irritation when handled.

Seed Saving: After blooming, this plant will produce green seedpods that eventually turn papery and brown. Remove Dutchman's Breeches seeds from their pods, and either plant them immediately or store them in the refrigerator until planting.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Dicentra cucullaria

Species Origin: US Native Wildflower

Type: Native Wildflowers

Life Cycle: Perennial

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

US Regions: Mountain, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast

Seeds per Ounce: 16,000

Stratification: Warm/Wet for 12 Weeks, then Cold/Wet for 12 Weeks - Repeat

Germination Ease: Stratify 24 Weeks

Sunlight: Shade

Height: 10 Inches

Color: White

Bloom Season: Blooms Early Spring

Reviews

5.00
Global Rating: 5.00 from 2 reviews
5.0

Review By Black Brook Farm

Great Woodland Find

We have been looking to add some of these spring ephemerals to our woodland. We used to have them, but haven't found them growing wild for a few years now. Looks like the seed is a little tricky to get to germinate, but it should be worth it.

5.0

Review By Lord Andrew Barham

tentative review

Just got seeds today and have stuck 'em in the fridge for now. Will be able to talk about germination rates after I've sown them and seen what they do. Very impressed with how quickly they got here. Wish I could say the same for some of the other seed venders I've bought from.