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History of The Flower Fields
The Flower Fields® Have Grown Into The Local Heritage
Southern California Attraction Is More Than Sixty-Six Years In the Making

 

The Flower Fields history is almost as colorful and enduring as its vibrant blooms. It is a story steeped in pioneer spirit, persistence for perfection and above all, a great deal of long, hard work.

More than six decades ago, an English horticulturist named Luther Gage and his family left their native country of England to make a new home in Southern California. Prior to his immigration, Gage had taken a special interest in the beautiful ranunculus flower, and in particular, the giant strain of ranunculus now known as Giant Tecolote Ranunculus. This strong floral appreciation motivated Gage to bring a collection of seeds along on the journey, subsequently resulting in the first ranunculus flowers known to be planted in North America.

Settling in San Diego County, Gage found that the climate was perfect for growing ranunculus, and planted the first few acres, which became the Gage Tecolote Ranch. He was soon employing several of the locals to work on the ranch.

One of the workers, Frank Frazee, often times would be joined by his two sons, Earl and Edwin, in the afternoon following school. They would help their father water the flower beds and grow the ranunculus for Gage. Having become adept at cultivating the fields after a short while, the Frazee family decided to start a commercial business of their own, and began growing their own ranunculus flowers.

At the time, the Frazee family was the only commercial ranunculus grower in the United States. In 1933 at age 16, Edwin quit school to work full-time at his family’s developing three-acre ranunculus farm. The dedication and hard work paid off. The success of their business led to a steady expansion of the farm, which eventually encompassed more than 1,000 acres in the Agua Hedionda area of north San Diego County. Edwin became adept at improving his ranunculus crop, and by the 1950s he eluded his competitors by breeding a superior ranunculus bulb with an unprecedented infusion of petals known as a double. This made him the only ranunculus grower in the U.S. Edwin concluded that ranunculus thrived best in a mild climate and sandy, well-drained soil.

In 1938, the Frazee’s moved the popular ranunculus fields to the Santa Margarita Ranch in Stuart Mesa to accommodate the growing demand for the flowers. The ranch property was leased from the U.S. government, and with the onset of World War II in 1942, much of the land surrounding the fields was used to develop Camp Pendleton Marine base.

Despite its close proximity to military operations, the Santa Margarita Ranch would continue to operate in peaceful co-existence with its neighbors for the next 30 years. In fact, it was during this time that the ranunculus’ popularity continued to grow. As more cars began to pass by the blooming fields each Spring, more and more people were treated to the blooming rainbow of colors that decorated the hillside. Increasingly they began to stop their cars and get out to see the flowers up-close.
As agricultural advances were made and irrigation allowed for water to be piped into Southern California for the first time, the Frazees expanded their operations again in 1958. This time it was south to the Ponto region of Carlsbad. The newest fields were planted on the hillside, just off of the old Route 101 (now the 5 Freeway). Again, with the increase in traffic between San Diego and Los Angeles, and the fields’ high visibility, people were inspired to stop their cars and walk among the flowers. A subtle phenomenon began to evolve, and with each new year, more and more people would return to the fields to experience nature and the arrival of Spring.
The blooming hillside was given the unofficial name, the “flower fields,” by Carlsbad’s residents, who began to consider it part of the local heritage. The practical name stuck, and became officially called The Flower Fields in 1993.

Edwin finally retired from the business in 1975, when he passed it along to his own sons. His talent and selection over the years are the reasons behind such an exceptional ranunculus bloom, especially the popular giants. In fact, his highly regarded expertise led him to do research for several universities and agricultural firms. The Frazee family officially ended their ownership in 1988, selling the still-thriving business to the Paul Ecke Family. The Ecke Family continues to take pride in the tradition that Edwin made famous

and has been instrumental in developing the surrounding area of The Flower Fields known as Carlsbad Ranch.
Today, more than 150,000 people visit the fields each year, many of whom return year after year. Through a joint venture between Carltas Co. (the land division of the Paul Ecke Family) and prominent grower Mellano & Co., The Flower Fields continues to operate as a working ranch and is still the only ranunculus grower in the world that allows visitors to walk the fields to experience the flowers up-close.

For more information, please call the information hotline at 760.431.0352 or visit the Web site at www.theflowerfields.com.

The Flower Fields^® Carlsbad, California
info@theflowerfields.com