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Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ (Bloody Cranesbill)

Bloody Cranesbill 'Max Frei', Bloody Geranium 'Max Frei'

Geranium Sanguineum 'Max Frei', Bloody Cranesbill 'Max Frei', Bloody Geranium 'Max Frei', Hardy Geranium 'Max Frei', Purple Geranium, Purple Flowers
Geranium Sanguineum 'Max Frei', Bloody Cranesbill 'Max Frei', Bloody Geranium 'Max Frei', Hardy Geranium 'Max Frei', Purple Geranium, Purple Flowers

Putting on a great show, Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ (Bloody Cranesbill) is a compact, clump-forming rhizomatous perennial with very attractive, finely divided, dark green leaves. It forms a neat foliage mound which is topped, in late spring to early summer, with bright magenta-pink, saucer-shaped flowers. The foliage often turns blood-red in the fall and adds attractive color to the landscape. This hardy Geranium makes a beautiful specimen plant in the garden and is a valuable edging or rock garden plant.

  • Clump-forming, this deciduous perennial forms a bushy mound and reaches 8-12 in. in height (20-30 cm) and 12-15 in. in spread (30-37 cm)
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade and in well-drained soils. This plant is not fussy about climate conditions (including hot, humid weather) and soils provided they are well-drained. It is clay soil and drought tolerant.
  • Deer and rabbit resistant, this Geranium is attractive to butterflies!
  • A perfect border plant, it is a spectacular addition to beds, borders, groundcover, cottage gardens, rock gardens, underplanting roses and shrubs. One of the best choices for massed plantings.
  • Bloody Cranesbill requires very little maintenance and is generally not subject to serious pest or disease issues. May be occasionally affected by vine weevil, capsid bug, sawflies, and powdery mildews
  • Remove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers.
  • Propagate by division in spring or take basal cuttings in early to mid-spring and root with bottom heat.
  • Native to Europe and Turkey

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Geraniaceae
Genus Geranium
Common names Cranesbill
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early), Fall
Height 8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 15" (40cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (Cranesbill)
Geranium carolinianum (Carolina Geranium)
Geranium viscosissimum (Sticky Purple Geranium)
Geranium clarkei ‘Kashmir White’ (Cranesbill)
Geranium ‘Dreamland’ (Cranesbill)
Geranium pratense ‘Midnight Reiter’ (Cranesbill)

Recommended Companion Plants

Armeria maritima (Sea Thrift)
Anaphalis triplinervis ‘Sommerschnee’ (Pearly Everlasting)
Phlomis russeliana (Jerusalem Sage)
Geranium x magnificum (Purple Cranesbill)
Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle)
Salvia x sylvestris ‘Mainacht’ (Wood Sage)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Hardy Geraniums (Cranesbill)
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Geraniaceae
Genus Geranium
Common names Cranesbill
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early), Fall
Height 8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 15" (40cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Geranium (Cranesbill)
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