Bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei')
Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei' is a beautiful, tough perennial providing brilliant reddish-purple blooms for borders and rock gardens.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’, commonly known as Bloody cranesbill, is a highly valued herbaceous perennial celebrated for its low-maintenance nature and cheerful, long-lasting display of reddish-purple flowers. This specific cultivar is appreciated for developing a compact, attractive mound of foliage that reliably spreads to create excellent ground cover. It offers significant aesthetic appeal throughout the growing season, enhanced by its relative toughness compared to many other geranium species.
This plant thrives across a wide range of conditions, tolerating both partial shade and full sun, provided the soil is reasonably well-drained. The Bloody cranesbill provides excellent texture in the landscape, contrasting its deeply lobed, dark green leaves with its brightly colored blooms that appear primarily late spring into early summer. Because of its adaptability and pleasing form, Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ is a staple in contemporary, low-input garden design.
Gardeners rely on this tough perennial for reliable texture near borders or in rock gardens. Its ability to resist common pests like rabbits and deer, coupled with its tolerance for clay soil, makes Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ a practical choice for challenging sites where other perennials might struggle.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Geraniaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-0.75 ft
- Spread: 0.75-2 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Reddish-purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ should ideally occur in spring or early fall, giving the roots time to establish before seasonal extremes. Choose a location that offers full sun to partial shade; while it tolerates drought, this Bloody cranesbill performs best in moist, humusy soils that have good drainage. Amending heavy clay soil before planting will significantly boost initial vigor, although the plant is listed as tolerant once established.
Ongoing care for this perennial is minimal, contributing to its low maintenance rating. Watering requirements are medium; ensure consistent moisture during establishment, but once mature, it handles brief dry spells well. Fertilizing is usually unnecessary; rich soil conditions can sometimes lead to overly lush foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pruning is straightforward. Deadheading spent flowers is often tedious in large drifts, and frequently unnecessary, though it may encourage a sporadic rebloom throughout summer. If the foliage looks tired or ragged after the initial flush, you can lightly shear the entire clump back to shape and revitalize the plant. This cultivar is noted for better heat and cold tolerance than many related geraniums.
Propagation of Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ is easily achieved through division of the clumps in spring or fall, or by using tip cuttings. If left alone, some light self-seeding may occur in perfect growing locations.
Landscape Uses
The compact, spreading habit and attractive foliage make Bloody cranesbill an excellent addition to the front of perennial borders, softening the hard edge between lawn or path and taller plantings. It is particularly effective when massed together to serve as a small area ground cover, effectively suppressing weeds while providing consistent color from late spring onward.
For a classic cottage garden feel, pair Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ with silver-leaved plants like Lamb’s Ears or low-growing ornamental grasses that appreciate similar sun and soil conditions. Its tolerance for clay soil also makes it a reliable choice for rock gardens where drainage can sometimes be tricky but where plants need to remain tough. The reddish-purple hue contrasts beautifully against white-flowering companions.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Geranium sanguineum, commonly called bloody cranesbill or bloodred geranium, is an herbaceous, clump-forming perennial that typically grows in a mound typically spreading over time. The species usually features solitary flowers up to 1 1/2” in diameter with five unnotched magenta to purple crimson petals. Cultivar ‘Max Frei’ is specifically noted for its compact growth habit and beautiful reddish-purple flowers blooming in late spring, contrasting nicely with its deeply-lobed, dark green leaves.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
This plant is generally robust, boasting no serious insect or disease issues when grown in appropriate conditions. Gardeners should be aware of a slight susceptibility to fungal issues like leaf spots or rusts, particularly if air circulation is poor or plants are consistently overcrowded. To prevent issues, ensure adequate spacing when planting and avoid overhead watering late in the day, keeping the foliage dry near evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Bloody cranesbill suitable for?
Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ is suitably hardy across USDA Zones 3 through 8, offering reliable performance in both cold winters and hot summers.
How large does Bloody cranesbill grow?
This perennial typically matures to a height between 0.5 and 0.75 ft tall, while spreading horizontally to cover an area between 0.75 and 2 ft wide, forming a lovely, dense mound.
When does Bloody cranesbill bloom?
You can expect the primary bloom window for Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ to be from May to June, featuring distinctive reddish-purple coloration.
What sun exposure does Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ need?
This variety prefers full sun to partial shade, ensuring you locate it where it receives plenty of light for the best flowering display.
Conclusion
The combination of its low maintenance needs, resilience against common garden pests, and vibrant reddish-purple blooms secures the value of Bloody cranesbill in any perennial collection. Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ is an adaptable workhorse that rewards gardeners with continuous texture and color. Before planting, confirm your local USDA hardiness zone compatibility and prepare your soil for excellent drainage.
Propagation Tips
Since Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ is easily divided, this is often the preferred method for increasing your stock or refreshing mature clumps. Wait until early spring or early autumn when the plant is not actively blooming; carefully dig up the entire clump and gently separate the root ball into sections, ensuring each division has several viable crowns and healthy roots attached. Replant these divisions immediately into their new locations at the same depth they were previously growing.
Tip cuttings can also be an effective, though slightly slower, propagation technique for this tough perennial. Take non-flowering side stems, snip off a 3-4 inch piece, remove the bottom set of leaves, and plant them directly into a prepared, moist, sandy potting mix. Keep the cuttings humid and out of direct hot sun until roots develop, usually spanning several weeks.
Companion Planting
Given that Bloody cranesbill thrives on medium moisture and tolerates poor drainage better than many alternatives, it pairs well with plants that share similar, adaptable site requirements. Consider grouping it with Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicelifolia) for textural and color contrast when its blooms fade, or use creeping Thyme varieties that enjoy the same sun exposure. For a ground cover effect under deciduous trees, use it alongside hardy ferns or Hosta varieties that don’t require excessive shade.
