shrub RHS Award

The Fairy Rose

Rosa 'The Fairy'

$39.95

The Story

Plant Bio

Polyantha roses are a class known for bearing large sprays of small flowers. They are typically hardy, disease-resistant, and repeat-blooming shrubs.

'The Fairy' is a classic and immensely popular polyantha rose, cherished for its profuse clusters of small, double, light pink flowers that bloom continuously from summer to fall. It has a graceful, spreading habit and glossy, disease-resistant foliage.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides an almost non-stop display of charming pink flower clusters from summer until the first hard frost, creating a carpet of color. Its weeping habit is graceful over walls or in containers.

Its low, spreading habit makes it an excellent flowering groundcover, perfect for covering slopes, cascading over walls, or edging a border. It is tough, reliable, and more shade tolerant than most roses.

The abundant, simple flowers are accessible to bees and other pollinating insects, providing a long season of pollen.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

30 inches

Width

42 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Prefers good air circulation

Lifespan

Long-lived shrub

Native To

Hybrid Origin (UK, 1932)

Toxicity

Non-toxic, but thorns can injure

Bloom period

Early summer – Mid-fall

In flower about 5 months of the year

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Antique Rose Emporium

In Stock$39.95

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site with at least six hours of direct sun.
Amend soil with compost to ensure rich, well-drained conditions.
Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots comfortably.
Set the plant with the bud union at or just below the soil level.
Backfill, water thoroughly, and apply a layer of mulch.
Water deeply once or twice a week until established.

Pro Tip

Instead of deadheading individual flowers, shear the entire spent cluster back to the first five-leaflet leaf to promote new blooms.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide good air circulation to prevent disease.
Water at the base of the plant, not on the leaves.
Mulch to conserve moisture and keep roots cool.
Feed regularly throughout the growing season.

Don't

Don't plant in a shady, damp location.
Don't allow the soil to dry out completely.
Don't crowd it with other plants; give it space to spread.
Don't use overhead watering late in the day.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Fertilize
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Cascading groundcover roseFlowering low hedge or borderGraceful container specimen

Companion Plants

Nepeta faassenii Lavandula angustifolia Geranium 'Rozanne'Salvia nemorosa Stachys byzantina

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

The Fairy Rose questions

What zones can The Fairy Rose grow in?

The Fairy Rose is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is The Fairy Rose deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse The Fairy Rose, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does The Fairy Rose bloom?

The Fairy Rose typically blooms in early summer through mid-fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does The Fairy Rose need full sun?

The Fairy Rose does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.