Words and photos by Jaime Bairaktaris, Executive Editor

Published in 2021

Redding’s daffodil field at 70 Cross Highway shows the gentle remains of a love story from a bygone era. It’s open to everyone who wishes to walk among the delicate flowers - a local tradition and the unofficial marking of Spring’s arrival for the Redding community.

This tradition began decades earlier with the property’s owners: Bud McQuade and his wife Florence. Bud was a veteran - both of the United States Army and of the classroom as a teacher at nearby Joel Barlow High School. He enjoyed working and learning, a point he made to me while speaking with him in 2018. He spoke strongly about his love for the world and how important he found learning - how it was through books and self-teaching that he was able to build his home for his wife and himself in the 1940s.

Bud also fiercely loved Florence and the life that they shared together. He began planting the daffodils each Spring in her honor - a tradition that has now lasted decades and touched the lives of thousands. Each year the field becomes larger and more colorful; his love for Florence continuing to blossom with every Spring. When he was nearly 100 years old, the community stepped forward to join him in continuing to plant the bulbs - splitting them and planting them in late Spring for the following year’s bloom - just as Bud taught them to.

Today there are nearly 50,000 throughout the property.

Bud McQuade passed away in August 2019 at the age of 103 years old. His home, and Florence's daffodils, were a part of an unknown future that plagues many older homes in Fairfield County in the midst of the active real estate market.

In the end: the home and its field were purchased by a neighbor who appreciated the tradition and love that the property holds. The tradition was saved. They plan to keep it as it is, and have added signs to make sure people know: you are welcome here.

What started as a love story between a man and his wife has now blossomed into a community treasure. Hundreds have visited the field this Spring, doing as Bud wanted: “Drive in, Walk Among.”

The field is open to the public, with parking on the street available. The blooms are currently in their peak, and will begin to die off in the next week or so. Walking paths and other blooming flowers and trees surround the property, which is popular for photos and to chat with other visitors. The address is 70 Cross Highway, Redding, Connecticut. Be cautious of vehicle traffic while crossing over to the property, and be cautious not to step on the delicate blooms as you explore the property.

Note from the Editor

I grew up in a house just up the road from Bud and his daffodils. Our school bus passed by the blooms every morning and every afternoon - each year the view became more expansive and more colorful.

In Spring of 2018, I saw Bud clearing his garden beds in front of his home in 80 degree heat; he was over 100 years old. I pulled into the driveway to offer my help - he pulled out his beach chair, told me how to delicately clear away the debris, and talked to me about his life from over 100 years of memories. He was proud of his stone wall that he built, the travels he went on, the Joel Barlow students who still visited him, and of his classic Ford Mustang parked in the garage.

If you have time this week - enjoy the drive along the reservoirs just 30 minutes north of Downtown Westport - and go visit Bud’s daffodil field.