Carlsbad Flower Fields - pure beauty

Yesterday, on the hottest day of the year so far, when it hit 90°, Randy drove an antique tractor pulling a wagon full of guests at the Carlsbad Flower Fields. I could have volunteered but I thought it was too hot. Today since it's a couple of degrees cooler, he drove me out there to see the flowers. WOW! This place is gorgeous. It does cost to get into the display area, unless you're a volunteer. Before we took the wagon ride, we walked around one of the main display areas. I kept making plans for when we get a house again because I am definitely going to have a flower garden, even if it has to be a small one. They had some very pretty 4 foot square gardens here, as well as larger arrangements.

The flower fields are mostly made up of Ranuculus. The Franzee family, who have owned this place forever, spent several years breeding better colors. In the 1950s they were able to change the flower from a "single" (with one row of petals, like a daisy) to a "double" (with lots of petals, like a rose). That makes for a much showier flower.

They grow 13 different colors of Ranuculus now, and when you get in the wagon, the tractor drives you out into the fields where the growing flowers make ribbons of color.

And as a bonus, in one area they have created a 300 foot  x 170 foot American flag of petunias. Couldn't get it all in one picture!

Back at the main area are several buildings with displays. One holds Poinsettias. The idea is to show how Poinsettias have changed through the years, due to selective breeding, but I just admired the flowers! The one called "Ice Punch", with it's dark pink and white stripes, was my favorite.

Oh, and they have a Sweet Pea maze, too. The maze rows are open-weave plastic so the Sweet Peas, which are natural climbers, grow right up them. Later in the season the maze wall will be covered with flowers. I just wandered around, admiring the flowers; fortunately Randy was leading, so we got out easily.

Past the maze was a building filled with Cymdibium Orchids. This brown one caught Randy's attention - who knew brown could be to lovely?

But then, everywhere we turned there was something beautiful.