Every year from March 1^st to May 12^th, Carlsbad is awash in color as The Flower Fields® open their doors to the public, allowing visitors to admire over 50 acres of vibrant Tecolote® Giant Ranunculus flowers.

If you are a passionate gardener or love having a fresh bouquet of flowers in your home, then The Flower Fields of Carlsbad can’t be missed. Each year, the ranunculus bulbs blossom into large and impressive designs, including long colored rows in lemon yellows, ruby reds, pristine whites and more.

While The Flower Fields specialize in ranunculus bulbs, the most popular and well-known design is a 300 by 170 foot American flag, made up entirely of red, white and blue petunias. You really have to see it to believe it, so take a look at this short aerial tour of The Flower Fields taken by our friends at Aerial MOB.

Guests are invited to visit the The Flower Fields from March 1^st to May 12^th where they can wander down easy-to-traverse paths along the fields. This is a trip for the whole family. Children can enjoy an antique tractor ride through the fields, a sweet pea maze and Santa’s Playground.

The Flower Fields of Carlsbad was started over 85 years ago when Luther Gage settled in the area and planted some ranunculus seeds. Gage and his neighbor, Frank Frezee, named the bulbs “Tecolote Ranunculus Bulbs” after the owls that nested on their property.  Frank’s son, Edwin Frezee, took over the flower operation, working year after year to breed different colors of ranunculus flowers.

The fruit of all his work and dedication is The Flower Fields of Carlsbad, a wonderful attraction for those staying in the Carlsbad area who have a passion for horticulture. Tickets for entrance to the fields start at $11.00, with discounts provided to children and seniors.

If you are staying in Carlsbad during the spring, add The Flower Fields to your activities list, and don’t forget to stop by the gift shop to take home some ranunculus bulbs so you can bring a bit of the color and joy of The Flower Fields home with you.