Whispering Bells (Emmenanthe penduliflora) is in the borage family family (Boraginaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,172 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from February to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Whispering Bells: observations by month (U.S.)
About Whispering Bells
Emmenanthe is a monotypic genus which contains only one species, Emmenanthe penduliflora, known by the common name whispering bells. This is a grassland wildflower found in the western United States.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Whispering Bells by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,151 | March | Feb–May |
| Arizona | 14 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Nevada | 7 | March | Mar–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (borage family)
Virginia bluebells
Distant Phacelia
Pacific hound's tongue
Notch-leaf Scorpionweed
Miami Mist
Alkali Heliotrope
Menzies' baby blue eyes
Wild Canterbury Bells
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 Whispering Bells?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from February to May.
Where is Whispering Bells most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Nevada.