Pink Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium acaule) is in the Orchids family (Orchidaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 14,861 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Pink Lady's Slipper: observations by month (U.S.)
About Pink Lady's Slipper
Cypripedium acaule is a member of the orchid genus Cypripedium. Members of this genus are commonly referred to as lady's slipper orchids. First described in 1789 by Scottish botanist William Aiton, C. acaule is commonly referred to as the pink lady's slipper, stemless lady's-slipper, or moccasin flower. The pink lady's slipper is the provincial flower of Prince Edward Island, Canada and the state wildflower of New Hampshire, United States.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Pink Lady's Slipper by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 2,255 | May | May–May |
| New Hampshire | 1,408 | May | May–Jun |
| New York | 1,098 | May | May–Jun |
| North Carolina | 1,094 | May | Apr–May |
| Maine | 1,043 | June | May–Jun |
| Virginia | 1,035 | May | Apr–May |
| Michigan | 937 | June | May–Jun |
| Vermont | 907 | June | May–Jun |
| Tennessee | 745 | April | Apr–May |
| Pennsylvania | 639 | May | May–May |
| New Jersey | 533 | May | May–May |
| Wisconsin | 526 | June | May–Jun |
| Maryland | 486 | May | Apr–May |
| Connecticut | 461 | May | May–May |
| Minnesota | 416 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Georgia | 289 | April | Apr–May |
| West Virginia | 286 | May | May–Jun |
| Kentucky | 219 | April | Apr–May |
| Rhode Island | 167 | May | May–Jun |
| Ohio | 137 | May | Apr–May |
| Delaware | 88 | May | May–May |
| Alabama | 36 | April | Apr–May |
| South Carolina | 33 | May | Apr–May |
| Indiana | 21 | May | May–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Orchids)
Showy Orchis
Yellow Lady's Slipper
Spotted Coralroot
Crane-Fly Orchid
Tuberous Grasspink
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain
Showy Lady's Slipper
Pale Grasspink
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 Pink Lady's Slipper?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Pink Lady's Slipper most often seen?
The most observations come from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York.