Pacific Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa) is in the Poppy Family family (Papaveraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,718 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Pacific Bleeding Heart: observations by month (U.S.)
About Pacific Bleeding Heart
Dicentra formosa (western, wild or Pacific bleeding heart) is a flowering plant with fern-like leaves and an inflorescence of drooping pink, purple, yellow or cream flowers native to the Pacific Coast of North America.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Pacific Bleeding Heart by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 1,858 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Oregon | 1,679 | April | Apr–Jun |
| California | 1,173 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Alaska | 6 | May | May–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Poppy Family)
Bloodroot
Dutchman's breeches
California poppy
Squirrel Corn
Greater celandine
Celandine Poppy
Creamcups
Little Gold Poppy
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 Pacific Bleeding Heart?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to June.
Where is Pacific Bleeding Heart most often seen?
The most observations come from Washington, Oregon, California.