Since 'Climbing Chrysler Imperial' was pretty ubiquitous at nurseries from the late 1950s into the early 1980s, I was shocked when I tried to get my hands on one in the later 1980s, and found it impossible. At length, quite some time later, Vintage Gardens came to my rescue and offered one or two or three specimens, of which I quickly swooped in on one. My present one is still a young specimen, just getting its feet on the ground and figuring out what life is all about, so isn't really a good indicator of anything yet. The previous ones I had experience with, back in the 1960s and 1970s, formed sturdy, stiff, handsome specimens, studded with these wonderful blossoms evenly set all over the plant, each flower like all the others. As an experiment, I'm growing this current one as a free-standing bush, like a tall HP. In the past, I've likened the display of the unfurling blooms at the Spring flush to the "Kingdom of the Shades" sequence in the ballet La Bayadere; and I'm sticking with that comparison: It's just numbingly beautiful.

That's not Olympiad if the color I see here is accurate. Olympiad is more of a Cardinal red not crimson red. Olympiad has a definite sharp tea scent to me and others who smelled it in my garden. Veteran's Honor is another one some people claim has little scent - again, not in my garden. Very nice noticeable scent here. Chrysler Imperial's scent comes and goes for me. I am sure it's a Chrysler too, but many variables such as soil, moisture, humidity, temperature, the human condition (stuffy nose, allergies) etc. can affect the depth of its fragrance....There had been some conjecture that the more a rose is propagated the more the original characteristics can be weakened with passing generations. Chrysler has been around since 1952 - very long for a Hybrid Tea. I've heard this theory proven and unproven many times on roses and on other various plants, and the jury is still out. If you want to buy a rose specifically for fragrance try sniffing it at the nursery in bloom, and if the one you sniff is fragrant buy that one and try it at home.....Maryl

Who would have "thunk"? You'd expect shriveled small blooms in strong heat but these don't look shriveled, just single. Good to know. Post a picture when it returns to normal :-)

Cori Ann, what a classic bouquet, and the first thing I thought was "Christmas"! This nosegay would be so perfect for Christmas. I suppose CI won't be blooming for you at that time-sigh. You have really introduced me to this rose, and I was tempted to buy it when I discovered Chrysler Imperial was being sold by Edwards. A rose has to have some outstanding qualities to endure so long, and still be sold by a top nursery. I wish I knew anything about Carpet roses, but they certainly add to your bouquet, Cori Ann. I have a few Drift roses, but they are apricot, and I do like them too. Diane