Meri your pic is definitely German empress.
I agree with Carol the way to keep it going is to take cuttings and have spares.
I believe it has a genetic (inbuilt) problem that causes the spottiness .
Lots of theories to grow it in a shaded position.. but I gave up on it years ago.
It doesn't seem to like the summer heat here. To have one going for 16 years is remarkable.
I have done a few crosses with it and most of those developed spots too.
It has been used a lot in hybridising as it is a very old one and some of it's hybrids do get spotty, some don't.
Here's one that I'm sure is a hybrid of German empress. It got very spotty and died on me ages ago. It's one I've not seen these days. Extra small.
BRIDAL SHOWER.
