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'Fair Bianca ®' rose Reviews & Comments
Discussion id : 121-757
most recent 20 JUN 20 SHOW ALL
 
Initial post 25 MAY 20 by Planetrj (zone 11b/H2 pH 5.8)
I'm going to give a pre-emptive evaluation, and I'm hoping that I can update it with more promising results later in the future. With having this for only 2 years, and now it becoming much more widely available in the last few years, it's surely going to get a lot of new reviews in the next couple years.

So far, Fair Bianca is has the same similar results as Bolero (being the child of FB). Bolero and FB have a severe vigor problem. The compound issue of BS intolerance creates an even bigger problem, because it cannot outgrow this. It simply becomes a bare gangle of twigs. The lack of vigor is seen extremely evident in its extremely thin canes that come up, and it doesn't care to make any breaks. It simply yellows back, once the BS takes over.

Secondly, the next problem is the inability to handle any overhead water or rain. The stems are so spindly, that the rain makes the flowers break, and worse - turning brown from raindrops. I've even given this one a lowered nitrogen and raised phosphorus and potassium with bone and blood meal, plus mycorrhiza with burned leaf ash in hopes to compensate for these issues, only to find little change in results, while it's companion plant (Munstead Wood) has also soaked up these nutrients only to become a rugged, hearty blooming fool.

Another noteworthy characteristic, is the inability to handle too little or too much water. It seems to struggle with a lot of rain, as well as struggling with even one day of driness. Completely intolerant in comparison to the dozen other roses I purchased that same year in nearly the identical situation.

Though the allure of the fragrance drew me to give this one a try, I would say that this would be a better suited specimen for an intensely cared for conservatory, and not a typical grower that has a life. It definitely would need constant spraying plus pristine care to actually thrive. Sure, this is one of Oprah's favorite roses, but then again, she has the money to spend on perfect conditions and the full-time crews to hover over her roses 24/7 - this one demands just that.
REPLY
Reply #1 of 1 posted 20 JUN 20 by ThomasR
Hello Planetrj. I only planted Fair Bianca last Autumn. Mine is grafted on Laxa, and I live in the South West Area of France, I would say the soil is rather clay, but I enrich it and cover it. The graft is buried deeply. This must be the most exposed rose in the garden, especially to wind, which always seems to be followed by a lot of blackspot. There was a lot of wind this year, over a long period. Days of heat, and rain too. So far Fair Bianca has always been the rose I feel I do not have to care about. No blackspot. Almost no aphids. Despite the wind, it profuced a big straight vertical cane with lots of buds on top of it. It looked like a candelabrum above the main small bush, not very good-looking I admit. But up to now it does feel vigorous. Moreover, the flowers seem to last longer than the two other Austin roses in the garden. The only thing that I wasn't fond of was the anise scent, but I am getting used to it. I see you live in Hawaii, does it have to do with the location or rootstock ? Maybe I'll disenchant soon, but so far it has been promising.
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Discussion id : 119-319
most recent 6 DEC 19 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 6 DEC 19 by Dad'sRoses
Available from - regan nursery
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Discussion id : 116-772
most recent 17 MAY 19 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 17 MAY 19 by Matthew 0rwat
Just ordered one from Roses Unlimited
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Discussion id : 114-850
most recent 10 JAN 19 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 10 JAN 19 by HollyH2
Available from - Heirloom Roses
heirloom roses.com
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