Chrysler Imperial, close-up of the flower
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Hybrid Tea; hybrid tea roseWalter Lammerts, 1952Red

Chrysler Imperial

Dark red; fragrance — strong; named after the luxury car Chrysler Imperial; in 1954 the dark red flowers of the variety decorated a Chrysler float at the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena.

Variety profileGardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat, in flushes

Repeat-flowering: blooms in flushes from late spring to autumn. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Legacy

Lammerts 1952

LAMchrysler · AARS 1953 · Gamble Fragrance Medal 1965

Winter hardiness

−23 °C

USDA zone 6b–9b. Most of Ukraine; in the north, protection is advisable.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

75–150 × 60–120 cm
person 170 cm75–150 cm
Habit
Upright, medium-sized Hybrid Tea bush
Dimensions
75–150 × 60–120 cm (height × width); under favourable conditions up to 185 cm

Flower

11–13 cm
Bud shape
Long, elegant, pointed buds of dark red colour
Open flower
Classic Hybrid Tea: high-centred, full flower of goblet shape; diameter 11–13 cm
Centre
High-centred, with a pointed centre; flowers borne singly or in small clusters
Fullness
45–50 petals

Fragrance

Strong; classic Damask, with notes of rose, clove and citrus

Strong — very strong, classic Damask fragrance with notes of rose, clove (spicy) and citrus. Considered one of the most fragrant Hybrid Teas; in 1965 it was awarded the James Alexander Gamble Fragrance Medal.

Disease resistance

2 out of 5
Black spotsusceptiblePowdery mildewsusceptible

2/5 — prone to powdery mildew and black spot in poor ventilation and high humidity. Needs good sunlight and air circulation. In wet weather the flowers may ball (fail to open).

Sun

Full sun

Needs full sun and good air circulation.

Thorns

Many
thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Thorns: many.

Foliage

Semi-glossy, dark green, dense foliage.

All characteristics in a table
Group
Hybrid Tea; hybrid tea rose
Breeder
Walter Lammerts, USA, 1952
Bud shape
Long, elegant, pointed buds of dark red colour
Open flower
Classic Hybrid Tea: high-centred, full flower of goblet shape; diameter 11–13 cm
Centre
High-centred, with a pointed centre; flowers borne singly or in small clusters
Colour
Dark red — a rich, deep velvety red in a single tone, without shades or shimmer. With age the flower may take on a purple-violet bloom at the petal edges, especially in hot weather.
Fullness
45–50 petals
Flowering
Repeat-flowering: blooms in flushes from late spring to autumn.
Fragrance
Strong — very strong, classic Damask fragrance with notes of rose, clove (spicy) and citrus. Considered one of the most fragrant Hybrid Teas; in 1965 it was awarded the James Alexander Gamble Fragrance Medal.
Hips
Not documented — spent flowers are cut off to encourage repeat flowering
Habit
Upright, medium-sized Hybrid Tea bush
Thorns
Thorns: many.
Dimensions
75–150 × 60–120 cm (height × width); under favourable conditions up to 185 cm
Foliage
Semi-glossy, dark green, dense foliage.
Resistance
2/5 — prone to powdery mildew and black spot in poor ventilation and high humidity. Needs good sunlight and air circulation. In wet weather the flowers may ball (fail to open).
Variations of the variety
Code LAMchrysler; introduced 1952 (USA). Parentage: 'Charlotte Armstrong' × 'Mirandy'. Protected by US patent PP1167 (10 February 1953).

Colour scheme

Dark red — a rich, deep velvety red in a single tone, without shades or shimmer. With age the flower may take on a purple-violet bloom at the petal edges, especially in hot weather.

Rose neighbours

Mister Lincolndark redPapa Meillanddark burgundyBlack Magicdark redIcebergpure white · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavenderlilac-purpleSageblue-violetWoundwortsilvery greyGypsophilawhite

Neighbouring roses

Classic dark red Hybrid Teas — creating one fragrant 'red corner' of the garden:

Mister LincolnPapa MeillandBlack MagicIceberg

Companion perennials

Silver foliage and cool blue-lilac tones set off the deep red nicely:

lavendersagewoundwortgypsophila

Availability worldwide

A classic variety, widely available for more than half a century:

🇺🇸 USA: very high · home country🇪🇺 Europe: high🇬🇧 UK: high🇺🇦 Ukraine: moderate · via partner nurseries

More about the variety

Hips
Not documented — spent flowers are cut off to encourage repeat flowering
Variations of the variety
Code LAMchrysler; introduced 1952 (USA). Parentage: 'Charlotte Armstrong' × 'Mirandy'. Protected by US patent PP1167 (10 February 1953).

How to grow

Where to plant. In fragrance gardens, cutting beds and exhibition beds; as a dark red accent beside a path, bench or entrance, where the scent can be enjoyed.

Climate. Most of Ukraine (USDA 6b–9b, −23 °C); in the northern regions light winter protection is advisable.

Care. Full sun and a well-ventilated position are essential (to prevent powdery mildew and black spot); feed 2× per season; prune about ⅓ in spring; preventive treatments in the wet season.

About the name

Name. Named after the Chrysler Imperial car, a luxury model of the Chrysler Corporation. The variety symbolised luxury and prestige; in 1954 its dark red flowers decorated the Chrysler Corporation float at the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena.

Breeding. Bred by Dr Walter Lammerts (USA). Code LAMchrysler. Introduced in 1952. Parentage: 'Charlotte Armstrong' × 'Mirandy'. Protected by US patent PP1167 (10 February 1953).

Significance. One of the most celebrated dark red Hybrid Teas of the XX century. A classic for cutting, exhibition and fragrance gardens; for more than half a century it has remained the benchmark for a red fragrant rose. Awards: Portland Gold Medal (1951), AARS (1953), John Cook Medal (1964), James Alexander Gamble Fragrance Medal (1965).

Frequently asked questions about Chrysler Imperial

Does Chrysler Imperial need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −23 °C (USDA zone 6b–9b). Overwintering depends on the conditions. Most of Ukraine; in the north, protection is advisable.

How many times a season does Chrysler Imperial flower?

Repeat-flowering: blooms in flushes from late spring to autumn.

How big does Chrysler Imperial grow?

75–150 cm tall, 60–120 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Chrysler Imperial?

Overall resistance: 2 out of 5. Prone to powdery mildew and black spot in poor air circulation and high humidity.

How much sun does Chrysler Imperial need?

Full sun; needs full sun and good air circulation.

What does Chrysler Imperial smell like?

Strong — very strong, classic Damask fragrance with notes of rose, clove (spicy) and citrus. Considered one of the most fragrant Hybrid Teas; in 1965 it was awarded the James Alexander Gamble Fragrance Medal.

Gardeners' photos and reviews

My climate

Choose a reference temperature to compare with the cultivar’s data. This is not an overwintering forecast or advice on winter protection; consider wind, moisture and the duration of frost.

Regional data are generalised. USDA describes average annual extreme minima, not a forecast; the values in the list are rounded. Check the conditions at your site. More information: Roses in Ukraine's climate.