The ranunculus fields of Carlsbad

What it is

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch cover about fifty acres of a coastal hillside north of San Diego. They are planted almost entirely with the Tecolote giant ranunculus, a strain of Persian buttercup with large, many-petalled flowers, developed in southern California over much of the twentieth century. The crop was grown first for its tubers and cut flowers. The fields are sown in blocks of colour, so the slope reads as stripes of red, orange, yellow, pink and white. They open to visitors from about early March to early May, with paths, a wagon ride and smaller gardens of sweet peas and roses.

Before you go

• Late March to mid April is usually the fullest.
• Book a timed ticket ahead for weekends.
• Keep to the paths between the blocks. The flowers are still a working crop.

The flowers you will see

RoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many colours

Also part of it, and being written: Ranunculus asiaticus, Sweet pea.

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