Geranium sang’ Max Frei

Description

Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ – bloody cranesbill

Botanical name: Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’
Common names: Bloody cranesbill
Family: Geraniaceae
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Low, compact, mound-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 20–25cm tall × 40cm spread
Foliage: Finely divided, deeply cut, small green leaves, colouring rich red and crimson in autumn; deciduous
Flowers: Masses of vivid magenta-pink saucer-shaped flowers over a long season from early summer (June–September)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained; poor to average; drought-tolerant; tolerates lime; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Sheltered or exposed; very tolerant
Native range: Garden form; hardy geraniums are native across Europe and Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Geranium ‘Max Frei’ is a compact bloody cranesbill smothered in vivid magenta-pink flowers all summer, with fine crimson autumn foliage. Drought-tolerant and superb for edging, gravel and the front of borders.

GardenAdvice notes

A first-rate compact form of the bloody cranesbill, ‘Max Frei’ forms a neat, dense mound of finely cut foliage smothered from early summer with vivid magenta-pink saucer-shaped flowers, and finishes the year with excellent rich red and crimson autumn leaf colour. Tough and notably drought-tolerant, thriving on poor, dry, sunny soils, it is a superb low-maintenance edging and front-of-border plant.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade — hardy geraniums are among the easiest and most adaptable of all perennials. Space about 45cm apart. Water while establishing.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. Shear it over after the main flush to tidy it and encourage more flowers. Cut down old growth in late winter, after enjoying the autumn leaf colour. Water only while establishing. Lift and divide congested clumps every few years in spring.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free and healthy — hardy geraniums are among the most reliable of all perennials. Slugs may graze new growth, and powdery mildew or rust can occur in dry spells. Otherwise easy.

Uses in the garden

Superb for edging, the front of sunny borders, gravel and rock gardens, on banks and in containers, where its neat mound, vivid magenta flowers and fine crimson autumn colour bring two seasons of value.

Wildlife value

Hardy geraniums are excellent for pollinators: their open, saucer-shaped flowers are very attractive to bees, hoverflies and other beneficial insects, often over a long season.

Toxicity & safety

Hardy geraniums are generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets. Note that they are quite different from pelargoniums (the tender bedding and pot ‘geraniums’), which are toxic to cats and dogs.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Max Frei’ is a lovely compact cranesbill for a hot, dry, sunny spot — a neat mound smothered in vivid magenta-pink for months, then a fine flush of crimson autumn leaf colour. It’s genuinely drought-tolerant, so it’s ideal for gravel or a dry bank; just shear it over after the main flush to freshen it and keep the flowers coming.

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