Geranium 'Max Frei'

Geranium 'Max Frei': A Crimson Jewel for the Front of the Border
Compact, colourful, and full of character, Geranium 'Max Frei' delivers a vivid display of magenta-pink blooms from late spring into midsummer. Each five-petaled flower is finely veined and centered with a burst of darker colour, standing just above a tight mound of deeply lobed foliage. As the seasons shift, the foliage takes on rich red tints, adding a fiery finale to this tidy, long-lived perennial. Ideal for edging, rock gardens, or sunny slopes, Max Frei is as tough as it is charming.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 20–25 cm
• Spread: 30–40 cm, forming a compact, rounded mound
• Flower Colour: Deep magenta-pink with darker veining and a small white eye
• Flowering Period: Late spring to midsummer, with occasional rebloom
• Foliage: Finely divided, medium green leaves that redden in autumn
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, average to sandy soil; drought-tolerant once established

Uses and Benefits: Geranium 'Max Frei' is a perfect choice for the front of sunny borders, alpine or gravel gardens, and low-maintenance landscapes. Its compact size and bright blooms provide a strong visual impact in small spaces, while its drought tolerance makes it a resilient choice for dry, exposed sites. Bees are drawn to the nectar-rich flowers, and the tidy, mound-forming habit makes it ideal for edging or mass planting.

Companion Plants: Pair Geranium 'Max Frei' with Thymus 'Coccineus', a low, creeping groundcover with vivid magenta blooms that mirror and extend the colour palette. Add Sedum 'Fulda Glow', whose bronze-tinged foliage and pink flowers harmonize with Max Frei’s hues while thriving in the same dry conditions. Finish the scene with Festuca 'Elijah Blue', whose cool blue tufts offer contrast and year-round structure.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Water during establishment; thereafter, it tolerates dry conditions well. Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering, and cut back after blooming to encourage fresh foliage. Divide every 3–4 years in spring or autumn to maintain vigour and shape.

History: Geranium 'Max Frei' is a cultivar of Geranium sanguineum, a species native to Europe and western Asia known for its vivid flowers and tolerance of poor, dry soils. Selected for its especially compact form and intense bloom colour, Max Frei has become a popular choice for rock gardens and smaller garden spaces where low maintenance and vibrant colour are priorities.

Final Thoughts: Brilliantly coloured and perfectly proportioned, Geranium 'Max Frei' offers season-spanning interest in a compact, resilient package. Whether edging a path, softening a stone wall, or lighting up a gravel garden, it brings lasting beauty and effortless charm to sunny spaces. A little plant with big garden presence.