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Magic, wonder and beauty flourish every spring with the total flower experience of the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch.
Covering 50-acres of a rolling hillside along Interstate-5 the Flower Fields season runs from mid-March to early May, April being the best time to visit.
During the 1950's Edwin Frazee began growing a superior ranunculus bulb with an extraordinary combination of petals, known as a "double.
" Frazee became the only commercial ranunculus grower in the United States.
Ranunculus he found thrived unrivaled in a mild climate and sandy, well-drained soil, like that found in North San Diego County.
Ed Frazee began growing his crop on an extended coastal hillside in Carlsbad, over-looking the ocean.
His field of dazzling spring color attracted motorist traveling Highway 101 between San Diego and Los Angles and promptly became a tourist attraction, gaining the attention of both amateur and National Geographic photographers.
The disadvantage to all this attention Frazee discovered was too much of the time he and his workers needed to devote to gardening was being taken more and more by visitors helping themselves to free bouquets of ranunculus and gladiolus.
By 1975 Ed Frazee retired, leaving the business to his two sons.
His sons John and Jim joined with the Ecke Family, growers of world famous poinsettias and moved the Flower Fields back from their Pacific Ocean overlook to just east of Interstate-5.
The contract between the two well-known floral dynasties seemed ideal, but without the elder Frazee, the Flower Fields were not cost-effective and faced extinction.
LEGOLAND California theme park was hoping the neighboring flower fields would be an attractive gateway to their playground and in 1993 the California Coastal Conservancy was able to provide immediate funding to keep the fields open two more years.
In the meantime, Ed Frazee was personally persuaded out of retirement by the Ecke Family, to provide his wisdom about growing his beloved crop of ranunculus bulbs; consequently the Flower Field of Carlsbad Ranch was born.
Ed Frazee passed away in 2004, but his beautiful flowers live on beyond his death.
The Flower Field of Carlsbad Ranch venture represents the perfect fusion of a vigorous working ranch and regional tourist attraction.
Some of the featured gardens include the Walk of Fame Garden, a one-of-a-kind rose garden featuring more than 170 All-American Rose Selection winners since 1940, and theme gardens showcasing perennials and annuals displayed in a variety of thematic gardens, showing how color can be used in gardens at home.
Imagine walking through a Sweet Pea Maze, yes pathways wonder through fragrant blooming Sweet Peas and there is a 2,500-ft Learning Garden where children and adults can learn about growing food and taking care of the earth.
The Flower Fields also offers an exhibit of the world famous Paul Ecke poinsettias, with a display of more than 20-colorful varieties made famous by the Ecke Family.
Indeed, it is a gift to the senses when you visit the Carlsbad Flower Fields.
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch are open daily during their March to May season.
There is free parking and handicapped accessibility.
The flower fields are between San Diego and Orange County off Interstate-5 at the Palomar Airport exit in Carlsbad.
Drive east one block and immediately you will see the row upon row of colorful blooms.
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