Canada lily (Lilium canadense) is in the lily family family (Liliaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,038 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Canada lily: observations by month (U.S.)
About Canada lily
Lilium canadense, commonly called either the Canada lily, wild yellow-lily, or the meadow lily, is a native of eastern North America. Its native range extends from Ontario to Nova Scotia south to Georgia and Alabama. It is most common in New England, the Appalachian Mountains, and the Canadian Maritimes. It is also cultivated as an ornamental in Europe and other places.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Canada lily by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 224 | July | Jul–Jul |
| New York | 146 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Maine | 132 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Ohio | 99 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 96 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Massachusetts | 87 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Virginia | 56 | July | Jun–Jul |
| New Hampshire | 54 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Connecticut | 33 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Kentucky | 30 | July | Jul–Jul |
| West Virginia | 28 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New Jersey | 12 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Tennessee | 11 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Alabama | 9 | May | May–Jun |
| Maryland | 8 | June | Jun–Jul |
| North Carolina | 5 | June | Jun–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (lily family)
Yellow Trout Lily
Checker Lily
White Globe Lily
Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily
Yellow Mariposa Lily
White Fawnlily
Tolmie's pussy ears
Gunnison's Mariposa Lily
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 Canada lily?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Canada lily most often seen?
The most observations come from Vermont, New York, Maine.