California fuchsia (Epilobium canum) is in the evening primrose family family (Onagraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 9,519 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in October.
Nationally it blooms mainly from July to November, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph California fuchsia: observations by month (U.S.)
About California fuchsia
Epilobium canum, also known as California fuchsia or Zauschneria, is a species of willowherb in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae). It is native to dry slopes and in chaparral of western North America, especially California. It is a perennial plant, notable for the profusion of bright scarlet flowers in late summer and autumn.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
California fuchsia by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 9,351 | October | Jul–Nov |
| Utah | 103 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Arizona | 51 | October | Aug–Jan |
| Oregon | 6 | August | Aug–Sep |
| New Mexico | 5 | October | Oct–Oct |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (evening primrose family)
Fireweed
Pinkladies
Browneyes
Ruby Chalice Clarkia
Winecup Clarkia
California primrose
Broadleaf Enchanter's Nightshade
Elegant Clarkia
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 California fuchsia?
Nationally, October has the most observations, with the main season from July to November.
Where is California fuchsia most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Utah, Arizona.