American trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is in the bignonia family family (Bignoniaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,196 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to August, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph American trumpet vine: observations by month (U.S.)
About American trumpet vine
Campsis radicans (trumpet vine or trumpet creeper, also known in North America as cow itch vine or hummingbird vine), is a species of flowering plant of the family Bignoniaceae, native to the eastern United States and naturalized in parts of the western United States as well as in Ontario, parts of Europe, and scattered locations in Latin America. Growing to 10 m (33 ft), it is a vigorous, deciduous woody vine, notable for its showy trumpet-shaped flowers. It...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
American trumpet vine by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 724 | July | May–Sep |
| Virginia | 289 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Kentucky | 279 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Mississippi | 275 | June | May–Sep |
| Maryland | 213 | June | Jun–Aug |
| North Carolina | 201 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Georgia | 197 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Alabama | 176 | June | May–Jul |
| Florida | 160 | June | May–Sep |
| New Jersey | 157 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Louisiana | 151 | July | May–Oct |
| Ohio | 136 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Pennsylvania | 136 | July | Jun–Aug |
| New York | 126 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Indiana | 125 | July | Jun–Aug |
| South Carolina | 122 | June | May–Aug |
| Tennessee | 108 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Arkansas | 91 | August | Jun–Aug |
| Missouri | 83 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Illinois | 71 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Massachusetts | 67 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Oklahoma | 56 | August | Jun–Aug |
| Delaware | 53 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Kansas | 31 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Michigan | 29 | July | Jun–Aug |
| West Virginia | 23 | July | Jun–Aug |
| District of Columbia | 20 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Connecticut | 19 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Iowa | 16 | August | Jun–Aug |
| Wisconsin | 13 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Rhode Island | 12 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Vermont | 7 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Maine | 6 | August | Aug–Oct |
| Colorado | 5 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Nebraska | 5 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Washington | 5 | August | Aug–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (bignonia 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 American trumpet vine?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to August.
Where is American trumpet vine most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Virginia, Kentucky.