California has some of the world’s most spectacular natural scenery and the most popular tourist attractions. These include Yosemite National Park, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Joshua Tree National Park, Big Sur, Golden Gate Bridge and Monterey Bay Aquarium.
In northern San Diego, a lesser known but incredible attraction has attracted thousands of visitors for decades each year.
Every spring, the Carlsbad flower fields are open to the public, allowing visitors to see the vibrant flowers in full bloom. It will open on Saturday, March 1st this year.
Located just off the interstate, less than five miles from the Pacific Ocean, the fields feature a variety of flora, including orchids, sweet peas and poinsettias locations. However, the main attraction remains the famous ranunculus, spanning over 50 acres.
Visitors will walk through the giant field of ranunculus flowers, watching the flower fields at Carlsbad Ranch in Carlsbad, California on March 16, 2022. – Flower Field features approximately 70 million ranunculus blooms across 55 acres of working farming flower farms. (Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP) (Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP By Getty Images) Tecolote giant Ranunculus is one of the best strains of ranunculus plants in the world. Ranunculus flowers are native to Asia and are a member of the Buttercup family. This unique flower is also known as Persian buttercup or Ranunculus Asianitic. AFP Photo/Gabriel Bouys (Photo: Gabriel Bouys/AFP) (Photo by Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images) – Flowerfield features approximately 70 million ranunculus blooms across 55 acres of working farming flower farms. (Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP) (Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP By Getty Images) Tecolote giant Ranunculus is one of the best strains of ranunculus plants in the world. Ranunculus flowers are native to Asia and are a member of the Buttercup family. This unique flower is also known as Persian buttercup or Ranunculus Asianitic. AFP Photo/Gabriel Bouys (Photo: Gabriel Bouys/AFP) (Photo by Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images) (Photo: Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)
What is Ranunculus?
Ranunculus is minor native to Asia, including most of modern turkeys. They are part of the Buttercup family, which contains over 600 species.
Each ranunculus has multiple layers of delicate petals, giving it a vast and vibrant look. It also lasts a long time, making it perfect for displaying bouquets and vases.
Their colors range from fiery red and bold purple to pastel pink, white and yellow.
They are beautiful to see, but ranunculus is known to be toxic to humans and animals when ingested.
Why is Ranunculus the main flower in the field?
According to Fields’ website, a gardener named Luther Gage settled in Oceanside in the early 1920s and began growing ranunculus in the field next to a small vegetable farm owned by Frank Frasey.
Frasy began growing her own flowers and handed over his tactics to her son, Edwin. He moved his rananculus to his current site in 1965 on land owned by the Ecke family.
Edwin Frasie retired in 1993, and Paul Ecke Jr. brought Merano and the company to take over the cultivation of ranunculus, the website continues. However, Ecke persuaded Frazee to stay as a consultant.
Ecke passed away in 2002 and was followed by Frazee two years later. The two men left a mark on one of San Diego County’s most famous attractions.
“Paul’s goal to bring people closer to agriculture and Edwin’s hopes made Ranunculus live beyond his death. Their presence is felt every spring when Ranunculus blooms in a fiery field of colour,” the website says.
Can ranunculus be grown in a home garden?
Visitors can retain memories of their trips to the field by growing ranunculus from their homes.
Field sells ranunculus bulbs. The website says that if stored in a cool, dry place of 40-80 degrees Fahrenheit, the bulb packaging can last up to two years.
Experts advise planting bulbs early in the spring. The flowers bloom between March and May.
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