Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill

Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei'

Nature Hills Nursery

Compact 'Max Frei' Bloody Cranesbill Blooms Nonstop in Hot Pink-Magenta All Season Long
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-8
Grows 1-2 ft Tall and Wide
Showy Pink Blooms From Late Spring to Late Summer
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant

$34⁵⁸

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Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This hardy perennial performs best in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct light daily to maintain its compact shape and vibrant magenta color. While it handles partial shade well, you may notice the foliage stretching or becoming a bit sparse with fewer blooms.
Soil: Max Frei thrives in well-drained soil and is quite adaptable to different textures. If you have heavy clay, mix in some organic compost to improve drainage, as "wet feet" during the winter can lead to root rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water twice a week to help the root system reach deep into the soil. Once established, this Cranesbill is remarkably drought tolerant, but providing a deep soak during the hottest weeks of summer prevents the foliage from browning at the edges. Inconsistent watering often leads to a smaller second flush of flowers in late summer.

Pruning Tips

This plant blooms on new wood, meaning it produces flowers on the growth it puts on during the current season. After the first heavy bloom cycle ends in mid-summer, shear the entire plant back by about half its height to encourage a fresh set of foliage and a potential repeat bloom. Think of it like a haircut that removes the "split ends" of spent flowers, keeping the mound looking tidy and vigorous.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring just as the new green shoots begin to emerge from the soil. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this can force tender new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. This late-season surge makes the plant more susceptible to winter damage.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Groundcover, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Attracts pollinators, Drought resistant, Container Friendly
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	1-2 ft
Width	1-2 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty
Growth Rate	Moderate
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Spring, Summer
Flower Color	Pink
Foliage Color	Green, Red, Other
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Geranium
Botanical Name	Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei'
Species	sanguineum
Cultivar	Max Frei
Class	Geraniales, Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Oh my, this is one perennial you'll need to find a place for! Let it spread into a beautiful, flowering mat of lush, dark green leaves. You'll be thrilled in late spring when the flower display starts! The highly ornamental Max Frei Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei') is a dramatic perennial with wonderful hardiness to back it up!

Also known as Bloody Cranesbill, and perennial Geranium, these wide, saucer-shaped blooms are cupped and they absolutely cover the plant! Get an eyeful, there is no way you'll miss these hot pink-magenta red flowers. Call them a flower factory! Your pollinators certainly will!

You'll feel like a genius come autumn when that deeply lobed foliage you've been loving on all season will burnish into the most amazing brilliant red. Add an enormous amount of color without adding extra work to your schedule! Hardy throughout USDA planting zones 4 to 8, you can rely on these year after year!

Landscape Application:

Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill has a valuable, spreading growth habit. Let it fill in all the nooks and crannies of your landscape. The flowers last and last, and they start just at the time when fruiting plants are blooming. Add these to your Victory Garden to entice pollinators and support a plentiful harvest.

Grow them in containers as a beautiful fill plant. The color plays well with many other shades, and you'll have a gorgeous display in spring and again in fall.

Max Frei stays compact and can be used as an edging plant along your planting beds. Soften the transition between hardscape and landscape using these pretty plants as a spreading groundcover.

Create a solid mass display by planting them 12 inches apart. You'll measure from the center of one to the center of the next. Mulch between plants and keep them weeded as they fill in for you. It won't take long!

Have you seen these used by professional designers? They fill wide, open areas with a mass planting of Max Frei. Do the same at home by simply adding extra rows. Stagger the plants in a zigzagging pattern.

Brighten up your bland areas with a few of them. They look fantastic in Cottage gardens, mixed perennial borders, and Rock Gardens, or spreading over the edge of a gravel pathway.

Large Hot Pink, Cup-Shaped Blooms
Outstanding Flower Power & Butterfly Magnet
Long-Lasting Blooms "Pop" Against Dark Green Leaves
Intricate, Deeply Cut Foliage
Bold Red Fall Color
Useful Spreading Form, Groundcover, Container Spiller & Edging

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Cold-hardy Max Frei is a carefree high performer that grows well in either full sun or a touch of partial shade. Any well-drained soil with enriched organic matter and moderate moisture access is best for the most blooms! Add 3-4 inches of mulch at the base of your plants to help maintain adequate moisture during drier times of the year.

Geraniums are easily divided in spring or fall and help fill your landscape faster. You can deadhead after the first wave of blooms to later enjoy a second! In late autumn or early spring, trim last year's foliage down to a 1-inch length in early spring. Biokovo may be evergreen in warmer hardiness zones. If so, gently rake out fallen leaves to tidy up at that time, taking care not to pull too hard.

Full Shade or Part Shade
Very Cold Hardy
Tolerates Heat & Humidity & Extreme Cold
Moderate Moisture In Well-Drained Soil
Prune Back in Late Autumn/Early Spring
Disease, Deer & Rabbit Resistant

Don't be without this pretty plant amping up the appeal of your landscape design. You'll love your Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill more each season. Give them a large role to play in your landscape. They'll repay you with beautiful blooms and fall color. Order from Nature Hills today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill suitable for?

Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8. This hardy perennial reliably returns year after year across a wide range of climates. Plant with confidence knowing it can handle both cold northern winters and warmer southern conditions.

Does Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill grow well in full sun or does it need shade?

Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill thrives in partial shade to full sun conditions. This hardy perennial (zones 4-8) produces the most abundant hot pink blooms when it gets at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. Plant 12 inches apart for best coverage, available at naturehills.com.

How much water does Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill need after planting?

Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill needs regular watering for the first few weeks after planting to establish its roots. Once established, this hardy perennial (zones 4-8) tolerates some drought but performs best with consistent moisture. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

When does Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill bloom, and how long does the bloom last?

Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill blooms in late spring with flowers that last and last throughout the season. The hot pink-magenta blooms absolutely cover the plant, creating a reliable flower factory for pollinators. Plant them 12 inches apart for best coverage.

Is Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill deer and rabbit resistant?

Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill is generally deer and rabbit resistant due to its aromatic foliage and tough texture. The spreading groundcover habit helps protect more vulnerable plants nearby. Plant 12 inches apart for best coverage in zones 4-8, available at naturehills.com.

How far apart should I space Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill plants when planting?

Plant Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill 12 inches apart, measuring from center to center of each plant. This spacing allows them to fill in quickly and create a solid mass display. Mulch between plants and keep weeded as they establish and spread naturally.

Is Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill easy to care for and low maintenance?

Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill is exceptionally low maintenance once established in zones 4-8. This spreading perennial requires minimal care while delivering months of blooms from late spring through summer, plus brilliant red fall color. Simply plant 12 inches apart and mulch between plants until they fill in naturally.

Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill

Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei'