My Smiths Parish is easily 6x10...and there is a lot of variance in the colors of the blooms..mainly white with a pinkish cast..but often they have a red band of color and this year I had 4 or 5 solid red blooms They do blow quickly.that I think is typical for this rose..but I adore mine.
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The blooms ARE on the small side, in a very China-like fashion.

We used to prune our "Smith's Parish" years ago, but finally stopped fighting it. It's easily 12 ft. tall, but it's hard to measure because part of it lays over on the hillside, and has grown up to meet "Ragged Robin" on the next terrace up.

WE get a lot of color. This is the full range:
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Remember that the different colors will appear on different parts of the plant, so when your plant is young and small, it doesn't have as much scope for that.
But also, Bob Edberg tells me that the colors are most distinct and vibrant in cooler climates.

Jeri

Randy, this year my two year old Smith's Parish produced a beautiful red bloom, while all the rest of the flowers were in various shades of white, blush, and striped. It was really cool, and made up for the times it isn't as stunning. It was so pretty with the bush being filled with blossoms that didn't match in the least. The foliage stays nice looking too, even with extreme neglect.

Give it time....I think it will grow on you. Smith's Parish has a quiet and subtle beauty.

Sandy

Great, thanks for the info! I will have to rethink the area where I am going to plant it. I thought the mature size was 5x5. Jeri, those were the pictures that inspired me to buy Smith's Parish.

You know, I really think you could keep it to 5 x 5, with pruning, and a colder winter than we have here.
Or, anyhow, maybe 7 x 7?

We just got tired of wrestling with it every year, and turned it loose. Particularly since pruning it involved crawling up the hill through knee-deep iceplant.
You'd be surprised at how un-fun that process becomes, as you advance further into your 60's.

Jeri