Since Maximilian II of Bavaria and Maximilian I of Mexico were two different people, I would guess these two different HP roses dating from the mid-19th Century: 'Maximilien II' and 'Maximilien empereur du Mexique' are different varieties. Does anyone else think separate records would be advisable?

Singer distinguishes between three HP's: 'Maximilien, Empereur du Mexique', 'Maximilien, Roi de Bavière', and 'Maximilien II'. The latter two roses may be synonymous, or perhaps not, since there was a Maximilian I who was also king of Bavaria, or there may have been two roses named for Maximilien II...

The descriptions Singer gives are not detailed, and while it sounds like they were both purplish, 'MRdB' sounds like it was a dark, velvety purple and 'MII' sounds like it was crimson with purple shadings.

The dearth of references for the varietal name 'Maximilien, Roi de Bavière' does make me wonder if it might refer to the same variety as 'Maximilien II', with some florist adding the "Roi de Bavière" to distinguish it from the HP named for the emperor of Mexico...?

There is also an HP simply called 'Empereur du Mexique', just to keep things simple and unconfusing...

Thanks,
Virginia