Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum) is in the mustard family family (Brassicaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,989 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Western Wallflower: observations by month (U.S.)
About Western Wallflower
Erysimum capitatum is a species of wallflower known commonly as the sanddune wallflower, western wallflower, or prairie rocket.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Western Wallflower by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,146 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Colorado | 405 | June | May–Jul |
| Oregon | 114 | May | May–Jul |
| New Mexico | 78 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Utah | 61 | May | Mar–Jun |
| Arizona | 46 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Washington | 42 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Nevada | 24 | June | May–Jun |
| Ohio | 11 | May | May–May |
| Massachusetts | 10 | May | May–May |
| Pennsylvania | 6 | April | Apr–May |
| Tennessee | 6 | May | May–May |
| New York | 5 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (mustard family)
Garlic Mustard
Dame's Rocket
Annual Honesty
Cut-Leaved Toothwort
Milkmaids
Hairy Bittercress
Shepherd's-Purse
Wild radish
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 Western Wallflower?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to July.
Where is Western Wallflower most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Colorado, Oregon.