Dutchman's Breeches

Dutchman's Breeches is a charming perennial that thrives in the shaded, moist conditions of woodland settings. This plant reaches about 6 to 10 inches in height and features delicate, dissected leaves that form a lush carpet of greenery. In early to mid-spring, it produces distinctive, white flowers that resemble tiny, upside-down pants (breeches), hanging from arching stems. These blooms are not only eye-catching but also beneficial to early-spring pollinators, especially bumblebees. As an ephemeral, after flowering, this plant goes dormant and will have vanished by summer, making it well-suited for companion planting with later-emerging perennials. Dutchman's Breeches prefer cool, rich, well-drained soil and are often found in deciduous forest areas.

• Keep soil consistently moist but well-drained; avoid letting it dry out completely.
• No pruning necessary, but you may remove spent flower stems to tidy up the plant.
• Thrives in humus-rich, neutral to slightly acidic soil.
• Apply a light layer of organic mulch to retain moisture and keep the soil cool.
• Since the plant goes dormant in summer, mark its location to avoid accidentally disturbing the area during its dormant period.