Rosa 'The Fairy'

 The Fairy Rose is a dwarf shrub rose introduced in 1932.  The hybrid of Rosa ‘Paul Crampel’ and Rosa ‘Lady Gay’ was bred by J.A. Bentall of England.   This is a Polyantha rose which is a small rose with clusters of unscented, miniature flowers.

The bushy shrub is compact and grows 3‘ tall and wide.  Keep the soil moist after planting for a month until it is established.  Fertilize in early spring and summer to encourage flowering. The preferred environment is slightly acidic with medium moisture and well-drained fertile soils. It tolerates partial shade but is less prone to diseases and flourishes in full sun.  Minimal pruning is done in late winter or early spring only to control the size.  Protect the crowns in cold winter areas. Apply mulch to maintain the soil moisture. Propagate by hardwood cuttings in autumn or by grafting in the summer.

The Fairy Rose has good disease resistance and tolerates air pollution.  It is hardy and drought-tolerant once established.  The profuse cluster of small one inch pink double flowers bloom continuously from May until frost.  The flowers may fade to blush white during the summer.  They have a mild to no fragrance. The small glossy leaves have a good resistance to fungal diseases.  

It received the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Grow the Fairy Rose in groups as a small hedge, ground cover, or along borders.  Use it a a foundation plant, in a rose or cottage garden or in containers.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The plant has good disease. May be susceptible to rose black spot, rose rust, replant disease, rose dieback, and rose powdery mildews. May also be susceptible to disorders rose blindness and flower balling and sometimes honey fungus. See pests of roses to the left. Deer will browse roses.

More information on Rosa.