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I'll be honest, my current experience with Chrysler Imperial begs to me ask, "What's all the fuss about?" I purchased because it is said CI is an all-star in a hot climate, so ask me how she does here in Houston in August. But, so far, i'm unimpressed. It smells lovely, but the blooms blow open quickly. The coloring seems odd to me, like there's too much purple in it...like the petals are bruised a little bit. It's had some mildew issues already, but Tropicana is next to it and Tropicana is the mildew queen. I would trade in the fragrance for the color, shape, and vase performance of Olympiad any day.
August 2016 Update: I'm still not impressed with CI. Despite its reported heat tolerance, it didn't really impress this summer. It was just ok. The plant is fairly compact and grows in a narrow, straight-up fashion, so it looks a little out of place with its bed-mates to me. It looks like it's trying to grow to keep from touching any other plant. I haven't had any mildew issues since this spring, and have had zero blackspot problems.
January 2019 Update: CI has actually turned into a really great plant. I still think the blooms open to quickly, but after a couple of years in the ground she's really taken off. She also have lived up to her heat tolerance reputation trying to bloom in abundance in the peak of summer. Great "beginner" variety and great "old-school" rose.
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Agree with you on Chrysler Imperial .. saw that in a pot for $10 at local store, Sniffed it. Not impressed, fragrance can't compare to Mr. Lincoln. The rose park nearby has Chrysler Imperial for years .. every year I hope for a good scent, but disappointed in its mediocre scent. Mr. Lincoln rose was better-looking at the rose park, but wasn't hardy. For a good red rose, Firefighter is fragrant & last long in the vase ... really miss that own-root Firefighter after it died in a dry & cold zone 5a winter.
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#2 of 6 posted
24 JAN 19 by
davyjns
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I found this to have a strong rose scent very much on par with Mr. Lincoln. Funny how these things happen.
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#3 of 6 posted
8 JUL 19 by
 BrianH
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My landlord grew this rose where I lived 20 years ago. This was a early 60s era tract house in the hot inland valley area of Los Angeles. This rose was an astonishing survivor, probably planted forty years before. It bloomed heavily once in the spring on the 10 inches of annual rainfall, then scattered bloom till November. The stems were short as the bush had been whacked to 4 feet with hedge shears for years. Every bud opened perfectly albeit quickly in the triple digit heat. The damask scent was as strong as Mister Lincoln. Dust had to be washed off the matte foliage when cut for the house. Of course there was little black spot pressure in that climate, but mildew and rust never seemed to appear. I've never seen a more neglected rose hang in there so well. I think these traits make it an excellent candidate for gardens in climates with very low humidity and withering hot summers. When I retire and return to California I intend to plant one and see what happens when it is really treated well.
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I believe Chrysler Imperial to have superior strength and type of fragrance over Mr. Lincoln. A much better plant too.
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#4 of 6 posted
11 APR 20 by
newtie
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Try it on a different root stock. For your climate i would suggest fortuniana root available from K&M Roses in Buccatuna Mississippi. I think you will like it once you get it on the right root stock for your area. Also, for Houston, plant it very high. Mound the soil up a good 12 inches higher than ground level.
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I grow Mr Lincoln and Chrysler Imperial side by side. Both are in (as of now) too small pots. Mr L. is more vigorous, but tends to concentrate more on single canes while C.I. is bushier and considerably lower. Mr. L also puts out more blooms. I can't seem to remember if C.I. blooms lasted longer or shorter. The scent is different, but gorgeous on both plants. I had planned to make a small "family border" with Mr Lincoln's ancestors and siblings like Oklahoma and Papa Meilland, but they are hard to get.
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The petal substance is beautiful but so heavy that once it "goes" it drops like rain.. Doesn't last long in the vase either. If you have room though it is worth having around.. The "porcelain effect" is great.
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Agreed. What is also special about Pristine in my experience is its VIGOR. There's something quite gratifying to me in seeing a rose grow with so much vigor, even if the bloom does not last long. The growth can be spectacular.
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Cutting flower: not the best. BUT Landscape rose: YES! Color: WOW! Disease resistance: Very good.
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i never saw this flower with orange highlights of black edges. Maybe it was the weather?
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Yes, it could be.
Thank you for your comment
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