Today (March 1, 2019) is opening day at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad Ranch, 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, California. The colorful event runs through May 12, 2019.

“We’re excited to see that the fields have been responding very well with the recent rains in our area,” said General Manager Fred Clarke in early February. “The gentle, steady water, combined with intermittent sunshine bodes very well for germination and the growth of our ranunculus plants. The rains have encouraged an exceptionally strong and healthy plant this year. A strong healthy plant develops a magnificent show of flowers. We are seeing pops of beautiful pink and yellow flowers making their earlier debut.”

In addition to thousands of 100 different varieties of ranunculus blooms, there’ll be all sorts of events and even food trucks.

The Flower Fields is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day through May 12, 2019. There are two free parking areas, restroom facilities, and accessibility for people with disabilities. Admission is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors 60+, $9 for children 3 to 10 and free for children 2 and under.

The fields today are the result of nearly 100 years of floral cultivation that began with Luther Gage, an early settler and horticulturist that settled in the area in the early 1920s, and then Frank Frazee and his son, Edwin, in the 1930s.

In 1965, Frazee moved his ranunculus along with gladiolus growing operation to the current site, land owned by the Ecke Family of Encinitas. The Eckes had previously used the land to grow their poinsettias, but in the 1960s they moved all propagation into greenhouses. Paul Ecke Jr. and Edwin were both flower farmers, which helped form a strong bond between the two men. The stage was set for the enduring preservation and promotion of this enchanting cultural emblem, and The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch was born.

The Persian buttercup ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus), blooms in the spring and goes dormant in the summer. It’s native to Asia Minor.

(Photos courtesy of The Flower Fields)