Hidden away in East Texas is the nation’s largest rose garden, a sprawling 14-acre explosion of color hosting thousands of individual rose bushes. This is the crown jewel of Tyler, Texas— the “Rose Capital” of Texas.

Tyler began to establish itself as something of a rose cultivating powerhouse near the turn of the 20th century, when ecological pressures began to make peach farming, the region’s former principal agricultural industry, less viable. Today, about 75% of all roses in the country are handled in Tyler.

The Rose Capital celebrates its preeminent industry with an annual Rose Festival. Each October sees the town dive headfirst into floral celebration, with the Tyler Rose Garden being among the centerpieces. The garden is even perfectly positioned to overlook the festival’s parade, and it hosts a tea party with the Rose Queen crowned as part of the festivities.