This is kind of a cool rose. It would probably have been classed a grandiflora today. The plant is about 4' with mid-sized, HT-like blooms in small clusters. The amazing thing is that the red can be seen from far away and it blooms a lot. I dont recall any scent. It never became that popular, likely because it wasnt an exhibition type, but you will see it in older gardens now and again because its an easy performer.
Poring over my old AARS annuals and the reviews of this one in the old RIR/Proof of Pudding are great! So great it seems this one--along with its "Floratea" partner Evening Star---seems they could have been AARS? I KNOW ES is a GREAT rose and so far surpasses Saratoga, '64 AARS/white/FL, it makes no sense that ES is barely available now and won no awards back then. And Evening Star is really a true FL and Sunfire (the third sister released with Viva and ES and called a Floratea) is also really a FL.......I grew Viva once, in my childhood, I do recall really chubby blooms and lots of them and a huge plant. I'm getting this one this spring via UC Davis and custom budding from Wisconsin Roses. I don't like red very much. Red roses have the least personality to me. But I'm looking forward to seeing Viva again.
