Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris) is in the pink family family (Caryophyllaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,337 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to August, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Bladder Campion: observations by month (U.S.)
About Bladder Campion
Silene vulgaris, the bladder campion or maidenstears, is a plant species of the genus Silene of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae). It is native to Europe, where in some parts it is eaten, but is widespread in North America where it is considered a weed.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Bladder Campion by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 289 | June | Jun–Sep |
| New York | 264 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Massachusetts | 167 | June | May–Aug |
| Michigan | 163 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New Jersey | 109 | June | May–Jun |
| Pennsylvania | 60 | June | May–Oct |
| Wisconsin | 56 | June | Jun–Jul |
| North Carolina | 53 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Maine | 40 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Virginia | 39 | June | May–Jul |
| New Hampshire | 18 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Connecticut | 16 | August | May–Sep |
| Maryland | 15 | June | May–Jun |
| Colorado | 7 | July | Jul–Sep |
| Ohio | 7 | June | Jun–Sep |
| Montana | 6 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Illinois | 5 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Minnesota | 5 | July | Jul–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (pink 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 Bladder Campion?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from June to August.
Where is Bladder Campion most often seen?
The most observations come from Vermont, New York, Massachusetts.