CHRYSLER IMPERIAL – dark red hybrid tea rose - Lammerts
Bring a sense of coastal glamour to compact family gardens and verandas with Chrysler Imperial, a classic hybrid tea now offered in an easy-going own‑root form. Its velvety dark red blooms and powerful fragrance create an indulgent moment of refreshment, like tea in a windbreak after collecting seashells on a sunny, salty afternoon. Planted in a sheltered spot that copes well with sea breezes and good drainage, this rose settles steadily rather than demanding constant fuss. In its first year it focuses on roots, in year two on stronger shoots, and by year three you enjoy full ornamental impact with reliable flowering. The upright habit fits neatly into small borders and large coastal pots, while the long-stemmed, high‑centred blooms are perfect for home-grown bouquets. Own‑root resilience supports a long garden lifespan, with easier regeneration after hard pruning, making this a practical choice for busy beginners who still want a richly coloured focal point by the sea.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Compact coastal veranda container (40–50 litre+) |
The upright, medium-height habit slots neatly into a generous pot without overwhelming small terraces, while own-root vigour supports long-term structure and colour in exposed spots with managed sea breezes and good water management and anchoring; well suited to coastal-style enthusiasts and beginners. |
| Feature rose beside a seating area |
Very strong, classic rose fragrance and extra-large, velvety blooms make this an ideal accent next to a bench or bistro set, giving you scented “tea-time” moments without the need for complex pruning routines; ideal for relaxation-focused family gardeners and homeowners. |
| Cutting patch for home bouquets |
High-centred, pointed buds on long, straight stems provide exhibition-style flowers for vases, repeating well through the season so you can cut regularly while keeping plenty of colour in the garden; perfect for creative flower arrangers and passionate hobbyists. |
| Small mixed border in a family garden |
The upright, medium-width structure fits into average UK beds, giving a defined dark-red focal point that partners easily with grasses and perennials, without needing the space of a large shrub; ideal for typical plot owners and busy families. |
| Coastal-style shingle or gravel planting pocket |
Works well in free-draining pockets within heavier coastal soils, combining its strong colour with low, silvered foliage plants for a smart, contemporary seaside mood while the own-root system supports long-term anchoring; good for style-conscious coastal gardeners. |
| Partially shaded town garden corner |
Tolerant of partial shade, it keeps its rich, dark-red colour and strong scent even where sun hours are limited, so smaller urban plots still gain a luxurious rose experience without needing an open, south-facing lawn; ideal for space-limited city-dwelling beginners. |
| Statement specimen in a lawn or front garden |
As a single specimen, its award-winning bloom quality and colour create a focal point that looks purposeful rather than fussy, with own-root longevity supporting a stable feature across many seasons; suited to low-maintenance-oriented yet quality-aware homeowners. |
| Informal coastal hedge or row |
Planted at recommended spacings, it forms a loose, fragrant line along a drive or boundary, with remontant flowering extending interest through summer while its structure lends subtle shelter in blustery gardens; appealing for practical yet romantic seaside gardeners. |
Styling ideas
- Seaside-Veranda Chic – Place Chrysler Imperial in a 50–60 litre pot with Carex flacca ‘Blue Zinger’ at the base for soft movement and contrast against decking – ideal for coastal veranda owners wanting fragrance in a tight space.
- Tea-and-Roses Nook – Flank a small seating area with two specimens underplanted with low Campanula carpatica for lavender-blue froth around dark-red blooms – perfect for homeowners creating a tranquil tea corner.
- Cutting-Row Elegance – Line a sunny fence with a short row at specimen spacing, leaving room to walk and cut stems for the house – suited to hobby florists valuing reliable, long-stemmed blooms.
- Shingle-Foreground Drama – Set a single plant through light-coloured gravel, echoed by tufts of Festuca or similar grasses, for a minimalist coastal look that still feels romantic – great for design-led, low-maintenance gardeners.
- Front-Garden Showcase – Use one strong specimen near the front path with Ceanothus thyrsiflorus behind, pairing blue blossom and dark-red roses for curbside impact – ideal for those wanting a simple but impressive entrance.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as Chrysler Imperial, commercial type hybrid tea rose; ARS exhibition name Chrysler Imperial; part of the vivianaROSE ORIGINAL 2-litre own-root range. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Walter Edward Lammerts at Armstrong Nurseries, California, USA, from ‘Charlotte Armstrong’ × ‘Mirandy’; introduced by Germain Seed & Plant Co. in 1952; classic American hybrid tea lineage. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated rose: Portland Gold Medal 1951, AARS winner 1953, ARS National Gold Medal Certificate 1956, ARS John Cook Medal 1964, James Alexander Gamble Fragrance Medal 1965. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright hybrid tea reaching about 100–140 cm in height and 70–110 cm spread, with medium-density dark green foliage and dense prickling; forms a defined, vertical accent in beds or containers. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, high-centred, pointed-budded blooms with more than 40 petals; XL-sized solitary flowers in classic cut-rose style, remontant with notably abundant second flush when well managed. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep, velvety dark-red blooms with ruby undertones; rich burgundy in bud, full scarlet in mid-bloom, ageing toward slightly bluer tones; very good colour retention with only slight fade in strong sun. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Exceptionally strong, lingering perfume with a deep, classic rose character; renowned for fragrance awards, ideal for seating areas and cutting, though very double form limits value for pollinators. |
| Hip characteristics |
Rose hip set is generally low due to very double flowers and regular deadheading; where present, produces small 10–14 mm ellipsoidal red hips with modest decorative effect in late season. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, Swedish Zone 3, USDA 6b); medium resistance to black spot and powdery mildew, good rust resistance; benefits from routine UK rose care in damp seasons. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best at 55–100 cm spacing depending on use; medium maintenance with some plant protection; prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade; requires irrigation during prolonged drought and good drainage. |
Chrysler Imperial offers velvety dark-red, powerfully scented blooms, an upright form for small spaces and the long-lived resilience of an own-root rose; an assured choice if you favour classic luxury with practical ease.
