GardenLife :: Fields of Floral Dreams: The Flower Fields

Every spring 50 acres of blooming Giant Tecolote ranunculas cover a hillside like a vibrant-colored rainbow. Located in Carlsbad, California overlooking the Pacific Ocean, John, Bryan and I were able to travel outside the confines of the radio station last Saturday and broadcast live at this floriferous paradise.

The Flower Fields began in the 1920s when Luther Gage brought Ranunculus seeds and grew them in his fields. He started the “Luther Gage Giant Tecolote Ranunculus Bulbs” company (The name “Tecolote” is from the burrowing owls that nested on his property) next to Frank Frazee’s small vegetable farm.

Eventually, Frank’s son, Edwin carried on Luther Gage’s business becoming adept at seeding and cultivating the ranunculus crop. Originally the flowers were single petal and came in limited shades of red and yellow. Over the years, Edwin carefully selected plants that bore unusually large, colorful or full-flowered blossoms and saved their seeds. Because of his efforts, we now have double-flowered ranunculus in a rainbow of 13 vibrant colors including picotee (usually meaning the flower is edged with a different color than the base color).

Flower Fields 2 His fields quickly became an unofficial, but popular tourist attraction and Edwin once complained, “If I had one penny for every picture taken that’s been taken of those fields, I’d be a rich man.” In 1993, when Edwin decided to retire, Paul Ecke Jr. (his family is responsible for the growth of container poinsettias in the U.S.) transformed the ranunculus fields into a working ranch and regional tourist attraction.

The following photos are just a few of the magical sights you will enjoy when visiting The Flower Fields. For hours, tickets and special events, visit www.theflowerfields.com.

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