Let yourself be dazzled by the “queen of flowers” at the ninth annual Rose Festival in the Bebenhausen Monastery, Tübingen, Germany (map). It’s set for June 29 and 30, 2013.

One of the most important Cistercian monasteries in Southwest Germany is the host for the show, where Road Trips Gardeners can see hybrid roses and wild roses, old and new rose varieties, accompanying plants, herbs, scented plants and botanical rarities.

Of course there’ll also be gardening supplies, garden whimsy and “rose delicacies”.

Count Palatine Rudolph von Tübingen founded the Bebenhausen Monastery most likely in 1183/84. The former Cisterian monastery had its zenith from the 13th to the 15th century when it was one of the richest monasteries in Württemberg. Later on it served as a Protestant convent school and as a hunting lodge for the kings of Württemberg. Between 1947 and 1952 it served as the seat of the parliament of Württemberg-Hohenzollern. The members of parliament held meetings there and lived temporarily in the monastery. It has been a protected national monument since 1975.

(Photo courtesy of the Tübingen Rose Fest)