The Flower Fields are blooming in Carlsbad. Photo courtesy: The Flower Fields
CARLSBAD–Springtime is here, and for the next ten weeks, 50 acres of the rolling hillsides in Carlsbad will be adorned with giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers transforming the landscape into a solid expanse of vibrant banded color at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch.
The Flower Fields is debuting a new greenhouse blooming with a historical display on the evolution of the poinsettia. This is a special treat for all visitors as the flower normally only blooms during the winter. The Ecke family, who owns The Flower Fields, originally cultivated the bright scarlet poinsettia flowers. Because the poinsettia blooms during the winter cycle months, Albert Ecke decided that they would make an ideal official holiday flower. Beginning in 1911, the Ecke family started marketing poinsettias as a Christmas flower in the US.
From 1923 until 1966, the main business for the Paul Ecke Ranch was producing field grown poinsettia mother plants in Encinitas and shipping them across the country in railroad boxcars to greenhouse growers. Since then, the poinsettias have been displayed on popular shows such as the “Tonight Show” and Bob Hope Christmas specials. “Johnny [Carson] would be sitting there during the holiday season, and there would be this beautiful backdrop of poinsettias,” Ecke’s son shared.
In addition to the poinsettia, the fields are blazing with colorful roses, orchids, sweet pea blossoms and petunias to name a few. The fields will feature a variety of events on the weekends for the whole family including: Girl Scout Day, Canon Photography Workshop, Blues Day, Bonsai Show and Sale, and will wrap it up with a colorful Mother’s Day Celebration.
Dating back to the 1960s, the fields you see today are a direct result of nearly 100 years of floral cultivation. The Flower Fields continue to showcase nature’s artistry as one of the largest flower displays in the world. Hosting over 160,000 visitors every season, this colorful attraction invites people from all over Southern California to listen to live music most weekends and take a tractor ride through the colorfully radiant fields.
For tickets, visit the new mobile-friendly website www.theflowerfields.com/get-tickets. For more information, call (760) 431-0352, or visit www.theflowerfields.com.
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch is located at 5704 Paseo Del Nortek in Carlsbad.
It’s open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from March 1 to May 14. The Flower Fields provides two free parking areas, restroom facilities and accessibility for people with disabilities. Admission is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors 60+, $7 for children 3–10 and free for children under the age of 2. Season passes and group tours are also available.
