CHRYSLER IMPERIAL – dark red hybrid tea rose - Lammerts
If You dream of a truly classic, velvety red garden rose that still remains surprisingly manageable, CHRYSLER IMPERIAL is a time‑tested choice that feels at home in Irish family gardens. Its long, high‑centred blooms are born mainly singly on strong stems, ideal when You want to cut a few stems for the house without stripping the bush outdoors. The very strong, old‑rose fragrance fills a patio or path on still evenings, adding a sense of luxury without much effort from You. As an own‑root plant in the pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2‑litre pot, it settles in steadily and builds a long‑lived, reliable bush that copes well even where summers are cool and soils stay heavy after rain, provided You give it simple, basic drainage. Year by year, it forms a stable structure, regenerating from its own roots and keeping its ornamental value for the long term. In its first season it focuses on roots, in the second on stronger shoots, and by the third it usually reveals its full character as a richly flowering garden feature. With sensible watering, feeding and a little deadheading, You gain an impressive focal point that works just as well beside a cottage gate as in a smart, contemporary front garden.
Use cases
| Target area | Reason |
|---|
| Front garden focal rose |
The upright, medium-tall habit and solitary, exhibition-quality blooms make CHRYSLER IMPERIAL ideal as a statement rose near the front door or along a path, giving clear structure without taking over the whole bed, suiting those who value elegant first impressions homeowners |
| Cutting rose for the vase |
Large, high-centred, long-stemmed flowers in a deep velvety red are perfect for home-cut bouquets; the very strong, long-lasting fragrance holds well indoors, so a single bush can supply regular stems through the season for people who enjoy arranging flowers themselves hobby-garden florists |
| Patio or terrace container |
In a 40–50 litre container with good drainage, CHRYSLER IMPERIAL grows into an upright, easily managed specimen whose scent can be enjoyed close to seating, especially where garden space is limited but You still want a luxurious rose presence urban balcony owners |
| Small mixed rose group |
Planted in a group of 3–5 at 65 cm spacing, it forms a coherent block of rich red colour; own-root bushes gradually balance each other in height and shape, creating a stable, long-lived feature without complicated design work beginner gardeners |
| Formal bed with perennials |
The dark-red, colourfast blooms pair beautifully with soft grasses and lighter perennials, while the medium foliage density leaves room for companions; this suits neat front gardens where You want order and romance rather than a high-maintenance display tidy-plot keepers |
| Cottage-style border accent |
The classic hybrid tea form and strong perfume sit well among traditional cottage plants; although showy, the plant’s clear, upright lines stop the border feeling messy, making it easier to keep the bed looking cared-for between main gardening sessions cottage-garden lovers |
| Specimen near seating or doorway |
The intense scent and repeat flowering reward any spot You pass daily; moderate maintenance means a bit of feeding, watering and deadheading keeps it attractive, while own-root growth helps it recover from occasional neglect or tougher winters busy families |
| Bed in heavier, wetter soils |
When planted slightly raised with added grit, the plant adapts well over time, its own-root system forming a resilient base that copes steadily where Irish soils can stay wet after rain and drainage needs a little attention practical gardeners |
Decorating ideas
- CLASSIC ENTRANCE – Plant one CHRYSLER IMPERIAL each side of a front path with low box or Carex flacca edging for a formal welcome – ideal for homeowners who like smart, traditional style.
- CUTTING CORNER – Group 3 bushes with Campanula carpatica and pale annuals to create a small “florist bed” from which You can cut vases all summer – perfect for hobby arrangers.
- PATIO PERFUME – Grow a single plant in a 40–50 litre terracotta pot near outdoor seating, underplanted with trailing thyme – suited to balcony and terrace users who want maximum scent in minimal space.
- VELVET DRAMA – Combine CHRYSLER IMPERIAL with blue Ceanothus and silver foliage plants for a rich, dramatic colour contrast that still feels controlled – great for design-conscious urban gardens.
- COTTAGE RIBBON – Thread a short row of these roses through a mixed cottage border of bellflowers and daisies, letting the strong form anchor the looser planting – appealing to romantic, low-fuss gardeners.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose cultivar Chrysler Imperial, a classic dark-red exhibition tea hybrid. Registered cultivar name Chrysler Imperial, ARS exhibition name Chrysler Imperial, commercial type hybrid tea rose. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Walter Edward Lammerts at Armstrong Nurseries, California, USA, from ‘Charlotte Armstrong’ × ‘Mirandy’. Introduced in the United States by Germain Seed & Plant Co. in 1952 as an unregistered but widely recognised cultivar. |
| Awards and recognitions |
Highly decorated rose: Portland Gold Medal 1951, All-America Rose Selections 1953, American Rose Society National Gold Medal Certificate 1956, John Cook Medal 1964, James Alexander Gamble Fragrance Medal 1965. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright, medium-tall bush reaching about 100–140 cm high and 70–110 cm wide. Foliage of medium density, dark green in colour. Canes are densely thorned, giving a sturdy framework suited to feature planting or cutting use. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, high-centred, pointed-budded hybrid tea flowers with more than 40 petals. Blooms are extra large, typically solitary on long stems, remontant with a generous second flush when regularly deadheaded and properly nourished. |
| Colour and phenology |
Deep, velvety dark-red blooms with ruby undertones; buds ruby with a darker sheen. Colour holds very well, with only slight bluing as flowers age or in strong sun. Overall appearance remains richly scarlet-cherry throughout main flowering. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Exceptionally strong and long-lasting perfume with a deep, classic old-rose character. Scent is noticeable even at a short distance, making it suitable for seating areas and entrances where fragrance is a high priority for the planting. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Rose hips seldom develop because of the very double flowers and regular pruning; where present they are small, 10–14 mm, ellipsoidal and red, with limited ornamental effect compared with the dominant floral display. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to about -21 to -18 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 3, USDA 6b). Disease resistance medium to powdery mildew and black spot, resistant to rust. Tolerates heat but needs watering in prolonged drought; benefits from standard preventive care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best as specimen, flower bed, cut flower or large container rose. Allow about 100 cm for a specimen, 55–65 cm in rows or groups. Suitable for partial shade. Choose well-drained soil, feed regularly, and deadhead to encourage repeat flowering. |
CHRYSLER IMPERIAL offers rich, fragrant dark-red blooms, reliable repeat flowering and an upright shape that own-root plants keep stable for years, making it a rewarding, long-lived choice if You are considering a special rose.
