Spring is around the corner, at least it is at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch in Carlsbad, CA. Starting March 1st, the public can visit this world famous attraction to enjoy its many offerings. Regarded as a national jewel, The Flower Fields is home to 55 acres of ranunculus, a flowering plant native to Asia Minor and a member of the buttercup family.
The Fields are a result of nearly 85 years of floral cultivation that began with Luther Gage, an early settler in the area. Gage, a horticulturalist, brough ranunculus seeds with him and planted them in his fields next to his neighbor Frank Frazee’s small vegetable farm in South Oceanside.
Frazee also started growing ranunculus and his son Edwin got in on the action, too. Originally, the flowers were only in shades of red and yellow. Over the years, Edwin was able to grow flowers in thirteen colors.
Photo courtesy of The Flower Fields, Carlsbad
Flash forward a few decades to 1965, when Edwin decided to move his ranunculus to the current site, on land owned by the Ecke Family of Encinitas. Paul Ecke Jr. and Edwin found much in common, as both men were flower farmers. Eventually, Paul Jr. brought in another established flower growing family, Mellano and Company, to take over the growing of the ranunculus. And when Edwin decided to retire, Paul Jr. persuaded him to stay on as a consultant to the new grower.
In the ensuing years, as field grown agriculture became increasingly more difficult from an economic standpoint, Paul Jr. turned to tourism as a way to keep the flower fields financially viable. And The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch was born, thus ensuring that the “cultural emblem of Carlsbad” would endure for future generations to appreciate.
Photo courtesy of The Flower Fields, Carlsbad
Today, The Flower Fields are a showcase of Mother Nature’s artistry and a recognizable landmark. Visitors can leisurely stroll through the rows of the fields or take a Tractor Wagon Ride. There are also other displays to take in, including the American Flag of Flowers, a collection of red, white and blue petunias planted on a hillside, and the Artist Gardens & Bird Aviaries, a showcase of spring flowers illustrating how color can be used and enjoyed in home gardens, along with aviaries full of chirping birds to complete the scene. Also, don’t miss the Cymbidium Orchid Greenhouse, an abundance of cymbidium orchids offering more eye candy.
Get lost in the Sweet Pea Maze, a one-of-a-kind floral labyrinth full of fragrant sweet pea blossoms and check out the Sea of Sunflowers. Plus, there is a series of gardens to explore, including the Illusion Garden,” with fabulous topiaries, the Sculpture Garden and the Pothead Garden. The latter contains over fifteen concrete busts overflowing with flowers and greenery.
Photo courtesy of The Flower Fields, Carlsbad
This season, a special sculpture exhibit by celebrated artist Alex Haveri will adorn the fields with even more dazzling hues. “Glass in Flight” is a unique outdoor installation featuring over three dozen larger-than-life sculptures of birds and insects, crafted from glass and steel. Visitors will love discovering these whimsical creatures set among the blooms.
Photo courtesy of The Flower Fields, Carlsbad
Heveri, a Tucson-based artist, has been creating these amazing structures for more than 25 years. On display are realistic sculptures of bees, butterflies, birds, beetles and dragonflies, some towering twelve feet high. Each was conceived, designed, cut, assembled and welded together by Heveri herself.
Photo courtesy of The Flower Fields, Carlsbad
The artist’s love of nature in general and insects in particular is evident in every one of her pieces. Her artwork has been featured in multiple magazines and videos and also appears in galleries, public venues and private collections. She has won numerous competitions, awards and public art commissions.
For Heveri, “The experience of viewing light through colored and faceted glass is like watching fire. Light captivates the viewer like nothing else. Whether in windows or in sculptures, brilliantly colored glass stirs up positive emotions, and is simply mesmerizing.”
Make your plans to visit The Flower Fields now, as they’re only in bloom for six to eight weeks each year, from early March through early May.
