
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
The Fairy is the perfect small, compact shrub rose to use as an edging plant or groundcover. The delicate pink flowers bloom in clusters, carpet the shrub all summer, and do not stop until the first frost. One cut stem can fill a vase with an instant arrangement. Rosa x ’The Fairy’ is grown on its own rootstock, making it hardy for winters in the Northern growing zone.
The Fairy was introduced in 1932 and has continued to be reliably disease and pest resistant, making it a very low-maintenance choice for the home garden. Polyantha roses bear clusters of flowers late into the summer and will tolerate partly shaded spots. Winter damage is easily pruned without disrupting the flowering cycle. The Fairy is an excellent choice for growing in containers near a patio or deck due to its compact size and vigorous growth habit.
The Fairy Shrub Rose Care
Shrub roses like full sun spots that have rich but well-draining soil year-round. The Fairy will tolerate partial shade if there are 4-6 hours of direct sun. Loamy and sandy soils are perfect for roses. Consistent watering is needed even after these blooming shrubs are established. Using a drip irrigation system or soaker hose efficiently waters the root system with very little evaporation or wetting of the foliage. Allow for 1 inch of water a week, including natural rainfall. Roses appreciate fertilizing at least twice a growing season. Apply a granular rose food early in the spring and then again as the first blooms open. A specialized rose fertilizer provides the proper NPK ratio (1-4-2) for heavy flowering and strong root system development.
Pruning Polyantha-type roses is straightforward and almost the only maintenance necessary. Late in the winter or early in the spring, prune away any dead, diseased, dying or crossing stems to the ground. Apply a granular fertilizer and cover the root zone with 2-3 inches of organic compost or arborist chips during pruning time. After horrible winters, rejuvenation pruning may be necessary. Cut all of the canes back to within 6 inches of the soil. New, vigorous growth will appear quickly, and the shrub may also bloom later in the summer.
The Fairy Shrub Rose Spacing
The Fairy has a very compact overall height of 2-3 feet and a spread of 3-5 feet. Allow 3 feet between shrubs when planting as a groundcover or grouping. Pots for shrub roses require excellent drainage and at least a 24-inch diameter.
The Fairy Shrub Rose Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 8 |
Plant Type: Bushes |
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 2 - 3 Feet |
Mature Spread: 3 - 5 Feet |
Spacing: 3 - 5 Feet |
Habit: Mounded, Upright |
Flower Color(s): Pink |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Deciduous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering |
Watering: Low |
Resists: Disease |
Tolerates: Heat, Drought |
Attracts: Butterflies |
Container Role: Thriller |
Uses: Borders, Containers, Specimen or Focal Point |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Low Maintenance |
Brand: |
Common Name: The Fairy Shrub Rose |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: Rosa x 'The Fairy' |
Root Stock: Own Root |
- SKU:
- 1231003141-pc
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 31th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: Idaho, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!