dutchman’s breeches | Beautiful Flower Pictures Blog

Spring Wildflowers – Dutchman’s Breeches, Squirrel Corn, and Bleeding Hearts

by hankinslawrenceimages | Aug 26, 2019 | Papaveraceae Family, Wildflowers

Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis) and Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra eximia) are three spring wildflowers I always look for in the woods. They are very delicate wildflowers – I’ve learned what their leaves look like – so I can spot them before the flowers bloom – and then come back when they are likely to be blooming.

A couple weeks ago, I spotted the largest patch of Bleeding Hearts leaves I’ve ever seen – there were still a few lingering blossoms so I’m sure that’s what they were. I’m already planning a trip for next spring in hopes of seeming them in bloom

C&O Canal

Dutchman's Breeches - Dicentra Cucullaria © 2019 Patty Hankins

Longwood Gardens

Squirrel Corn - Dicentra Canadensis © 2019 Patty Hankins

Jenkins Arboretum

Mt Cuba Center

Bleeding Hearts - Dicentra eximia © 2019 Patty Hankins

A Few More Spring Wildflowers

by hankinslawrenceimages | May 2, 2016 | Boraginaceae Family, Flowers, Liliaceae Family, Papaveraceae Family

In early April I was able to return to a couple of my favorite local spots to photograph wildflowers. We’d had some pretty bad weather – cold, rain, wind and even a few snow squalls – so I wasn’t sure what I’d fine. I was really happy to see the even with all the challenging weather – the wildflowers were blooming – and looking absolutely wonderful.

Here are a few more photos from Bull Run Regional Park in Virginia and the C&O Canal National Park in Maryland.

Virginia Bluebells – mertensia virginica

Dutchman’s Breeches – dicentra cucullaria

Trout Lily –

Toadshade Trillium – trillium sessile

Bleeding Hearts, Squirrel Corn and Dutchman’s Breeches

by hankinslawrenceimages | Mar 7, 2014 | Flowers, Papaveraceae Family, Wildflowers

I am so looking forward to spring and for the wildflowers to start blooming. Three of my favorite early spring wildflowers – Bleeding Hearts, Squirrel Corn and Dutchman’s Breeches – are all members of the Poppy Family. They bloom in the early spring before the leaves are on the trees putting the woods into shade

Dutchman’s Breeches – Dicentra Cucullaria – is often the first of the three to bloom

Dutchman's Breeches © 2014 Patty Hankins

Squirrel Corn – Dicentra Canadensis – blooms within a few days of when the Dutchman’s Breeches start to bloom

And finally the Bleeding Hearts – Dicentra Eximia – blooms about ten days later.

Do any of these three wildflowers bloom in your area in the spring? Or is there another wildflower member of the poppy family you like? If there is – just let me know in the comments below.

More Dutchman’s Breeches – Dicentra cucullaria

by hankinslawrenceimages | Apr 4, 2012 | Flowers, Papaveraceae Family, Wildflowers

Once again, Dutchman’s Breeches (dicentra cucullaria) were one of the early spring wildflowers I had a wonderful time photographing. Last year I shared my photos and info about Dutchman’s Breeches in a blog post. So I won’t repeat the same info about the blossoms as I mentioned last year.

What I have discovered is that the common name of these delicate flowers caused great discussion and controversy in the late 1900s! One botanist – Dr. Abbott wrote “To think that such a plant should be called ‘Dutchman’s Breeches’ If this abomination were dropped from Gray’s Manual, perhaps in time a decent substitute would come in use.” The issue was that in Victorian times – talking about clothing that covered certain parts of men’s anatomy just wasn’t done among ladies who were likely to be discussing gardening.

So while people agreed with John Burroughs that Dutchman’s Breeches were “among our prettiest spring flowers” – they didn’t think the name was appropriate! Who knew???

I photographed the Dutchman’s Breeches at McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area in Poolesville, Maryland and at Turkey Run Park in Virginia. Both locations are wonderful for early spring wildflowers.

Information about the controversy about calling these beautiful flowers Dutchman’s Breeches can be found int Jack Sanders’ The Secrets of Wildflowers.

Dutchman’s Breeches – Dicentra cucullaria

by hankinslawrenceimages | Jun 6, 2011 | Flowers, Papaveraceae Family, Wildflowers

Dutchman’s Breeches (dicentra cucullaria) is one of the spring wildflowers that I found in several places this spring – which let me get some wonderful detailed photographs of them. The name refers to the way that the blossoms hang from the stalk and that it resembles the way Dutch men’s pants look hanging on a line to dry.

Dutchman’s Breeches are a member of the Fumariaceae (bleeding heart) family – so they are related to Bleeding Hearts and Squirrel Corn. Here in the Washington DC area it blooms in late March and early April. They are native to much of the eastern US and Canada, plus Idaho, Washington and Oregon.

Dutchman’s Breeches grow up to 10 inches high – with multiple blossoms hanging from each stalk. There is a cluster of deeply cut fern like leaves under the stalks with the flowers. The plants spread quickly so it’s not uncommon to find large masses of Dutchman’s Breeches.

Dutchman’s Breeches are commonly found in the woods. They prefer sun to part shade – so bloom before the leaf cover fills in. They also prefer a moist, humus rich soil.

I’ve found a couple of references to medicinal uses for Dutchman’s Breeches. It could be used as a love charm – either by throwing it at the person you’re interested in – or by chewing on the roots and breathing on the person. The leaves were used to help strengthen runner’s legs.

If you’d like more information about Dutchman’s Breeches, you can find some online at

Flora of North America

Kemper Center for Home Gardening

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Native American Ethnobotany

Robert W. Freckman Herbarium – UW Stevens Point

University of Washington Herbarium

USDA Plant Profiles

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