Polyantha Rose, Shrub Rose, Earth Kind™ 'The Fairy'

On Apr 14, 2021, springhepatica from Chapmanville, WV wrote:

My “fairy rose” is the only rose I have growing that is never plagued with insects or disease. I have had this jewel for nearly 20 years. Basically I make a mixture of coffee grounds and banana peels 2-3 times a year and put around the plant. I use minimal mulch. It is no fuss, no worry and blooms from mid-Spring until winter.

On May 13, 2014, krainieri from Putnam Valley, NY (Zone 5b) wrote:

I have 3 in my tough part shade garden, soil was amended at planting but is not the best (clay). They are thriving! No diseases, flower all summer, beautiful rose. Occasionally the deer nibble but I have very high deer density so they are not their first choice, and I have had no severe browsing damage. I highly recommend.

On Mar 11, 2012, Hyblaean from Necedah, WI (Zone 4b) wrote:

This was one of my favorite roses until it got witch's broom. Now I'm left having to clear the fence of it and all other roses like it (which were quickly infected). Ouch, both emotionally and because of all the thorns.
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edited to add: 2 plants bought at Menards took over the entire corner of our yard in less than 5 years. They were stunning before they became diseased. Diseased they also infected our Ballerina, which was quickly taking over another corner and is no where near the Fairy. Knowing what I know now, I probably will not plant another R. multiflora in our yard, even after I give the disease time to abate. Burned once...

On Apr 13, 2011, chgogardennut from Chicago, IL wrote:

This was my first experience with roses and it has survive me! It has survived numerous Chicago winters with no protection what so ever! I had no problems with it. I originally planted it in a semi-shaded area and it did ok. Transplanted it to a full sun area and it took off! It blooms all summer long! I love this rose bush!

On Jun 6, 2010, BevGuy from Naples, FL wrote:

I have a cottage near Kingston, Ontario, Canada and have successfully over-wintered my fairy rose without any undo protection last fall. It is a prolific, lovely bloomer and I am thrilled. I tried to buy another one this spring but my local nursery was sold out. They sell the rose as an ANNUAL! Bev

On Apr 7, 2009, Bairie from Corpus Christi, TX (Zone 10a) wrote:

I had about 20 lining my driveway and they were always in bloom.
One year some of them had thrips, but after I cut them back they came back without the thrips. Never saw them again. I've moved and have only one, but am eager to get some more started.

On Feb 1, 2008, cactuspatch from Alamogordo, NM (Zone 7b) wrote:

This rose is small and delicate looking, but like others have mentioned it is very hardy. It blooms a lovely pink that fades in my desert sun. It does well in partial shade here. I had some ground cover try to choke it. I was happy to see that the Fairy just sent out a runner about 3 feet away. That runner, came back and bloomed the next year as nicely as the original had done. So even though I lost the original one, I was not even one growing season without the lovely Fairy blooming. And yes, I am more diligent about keeping the ground covers away from its roots.

On Feb 19, 2007, soulgardenlove from Marietta, GA (Zone 7b) wrote:

I found this lovely rose at a big box store. It looks so dainty.. nice addition to my garden.

From HGTV.com's list of carefree roses by Mary C. Weaver:
'The Fairy': With a name like that, you might think 'The Fairy' delicate. Don't let this polyantha's diminutive, cupped double pink blooms fool you: this plant is nearly indestructible. Introduced in 1932 by Ann Bentall of England, one of the few female hybridizers in the rose world, 'The Fairy' begins blooming somewhat late in the season but keeps on going into fall. Clusters of blooms form along the entire length of the shrub's prickly canes. The foliage is tiny, medium-green, glossy and disease-resistant. If you live in a warm climate, make sure 'The Fairy' gets some afternoon shade--the soft-pink flowers will fad... read moree in hot sun. Hardy to Zone 4. A low and spreading shrub 2 to 3 feet in height and 3 to 4 feet in width.

On Jul 5, 2006, Meig from Timnath, CO (Zone 5b) wrote:

This is an awesome rose. However, I am starting to believe that different companies are breeding different strains of this rose.

I have two from Weeks Roses that are doing very, very poorly. All of my others are from Jackson & Perkins and are wonderful growers and absolutely blooming machines. Up until last year, all of my fairies were from J&P and all of them are excellent. The ones from Weeks were planted last year and are just not doing anywhere nearly as well as the J&P. I will not purchase any more Weeks stock, that's for sure.

ETA on June 5, 2008: ETA on June 5, 2008: Don't bother purchasing any of these unless you are getting the Jackson & Perkins cultivars. I made the mistake of getting some propagated by Weeks Roses, and they were just that...w... read moreeak! One of them never bloomed and the buds always looked like they had bud blast or somethiing, and it didn't survive the winter. The other survived but never took off and established like the J&P cultivars I had previously. After giving it three full years to establish, I just finally shovel pruned it and discovered that it had never really even put down good roots. I'll be sticking with J&P when it comes to these roses from now on.

On Jul 7, 2005, KillerChihuahua from Elizabethton, TN (Zone 7a) wrote:

Fabulous rose. Mine blooms almost continuously most of the year, and the foliage is so pretty.

On Jan 29, 2005, JodyC from Palmyra, IL (Zone 5b) wrote:

Shade Tolerant. Disease susceptibility: Disease resistant

On Jan 26, 2003, mystic from Ewing, KY (Zone 6a) wrote:

‘Paul Crampel’ x R. ‘Lady Gay’ (Bentall 1932)

On Jul 12, 2002, boyne4 from Boyne City, MI (Zone 4b) wrote:

This rose is the hardyest in my garden with no bugs or disease, and blooms with dozens of flowers at a time.