Blooming Flower Fields

If you find yourself on the United States West Coast between March and Mother’s Day 2023, I would like to suggest you build in a half day to view and frolic in a 55-acre field of blooming ranunculus flowers. Their brilliant color blooms dot the hillside, which you can see from a distance.

The Flower Fields are just a short drive from the beach and attract people from all over the world. This attraction is truly a family affair, for there are activities for every member of the family.

Luther Gage, an early settler and horticulturist, bought land in the Carlsbad area. He planted seeds that originated on the Asian peninsula, called ranunculus, and they thrived in the fresh ocean air.

Adjacent to his land, Frank Frazee had a vegetable farm. Soon he started planting ranunculus and, in 1965, expanded his farm with the acquisition of land from the Ecke family, who were cultivating modern-day poinsettia. He relocated his ranunculus fields to this property and brought in his son Edwin Frazee to help him with ideas, for people were coming faster than one person could handle.

The ranunculus fields were overseen by Edwin, who brought in Mellano and Company, a renowned flower-growing company, to handle the flower fields. Meanwhile, Edwin saw the potential for tourism through the fields and took over the day-to-day operations.

There is little shade, so wearing a hat, sunglasses, and filled water bottles would be good. The key is to take your time to soak in the beauty of these very special places where nature shows itself off to us for two and a half months.

By Kathy Condon