Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) is in the buckthorn family family (Rhamnaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,375 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Alder Buckthorn: observations by month (U.S.)
About Alder Buckthorn
Frangula alnus, commonly known as alder buckthorn, glossy buckthorn, or breaking buckthorn, is a tall deciduous shrub in the family Rhamnaceae. Unlike other "buckthorns", alder buckthorn does not have thorns. It is native to Europe, northernmost Africa, and western Asia, from Ireland and Great Britain north to the 68th parallel in Scandinavia, east to central Siberia and Xinjiang in western China, and south to northern Morocco, Turkey, and the Alborz in Iran and Caucasus Mountains; in...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Alder Buckthorn by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 352 | June | May–Jun |
| New Hampshire | 151 | June | May–Jul |
| New York | 129 | June | May–Jul |
| Ohio | 118 | June | May–Jul |
| Michigan | 117 | June | May–Jul |
| Vermont | 100 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 81 | May | May–Jun |
| Minnesota | 68 | June | May–Aug |
| Wisconsin | 60 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Illinois | 47 | May | May–Jul |
| Rhode Island | 47 | June | May–Jul |
| Maine | 38 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Connecticut | 37 | June | May–Jun |
| New Jersey | 18 | June | May–Jul |
| Indiana | 7 | June | Jun–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (buckthorn family)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Alder Buckthorn?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from May to July.
Where is Alder Buckthorn most often seen?
The most observations come from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York.