Friday, March 05, 2010

"Max Frei" Geranium

I was asked by a fellow blogger the other day if I had any geraniums that seeded all over the place.  Well, I do, it is Max.  I find him in many different areas of the garden some quite far away from where he was first planted.  At first I was quite shocked because I thought I had planted this beautiful little mound of magenta flowers, and now he has morphed into a much more leggy variety of himself.

My first impulse was to yank every bit of this alien that I could find.  But, I restrained myself and watched his offspring grow throughout the seasons.  They sported flowers that looked identical to Max's but their growth was much more sprawling.  I found I could live with it, and cut them back if they became too untamed.

Max Frei is a lovely little geranium, growing in mounds throughout the spring, summer and fall.  It is flush with magenta flowers in the spring and can be lightly trimmed to keep a pleasing shape.   This trimming can be done more than once during the seasons producing a limited display up until frost.  It is not a rival to Rozanne but is perfect along a walkway as it never becomes out of bounds.

16 comments:

Darla said...

Sounds as if he is a good sport in the garden.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

He is Darla. I think I'll keep him.

Eileen

Larry said...

Good morning ... it seems like I'm thanking you for for new info every day! I appreciate it as well as the info in your blog! Larry

Gatsbys Gardens said...

We are all in this together. Your work deserves to be seen and appreciated. Good luck! I am off to the Midwest Garden Symposium today at the Morton Arboretum. I will let you know what new info is out there.

Eileen

Anonymous said...

Dear Eileen, I do know this little free spirit of old and if he were mine, then I should do exactly as you are doing - allow him to roam. Should he become a nuisance, then one sharp pull and he is out!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Beautifully put Edith!

Eileen

Dave@TheHomeGarden said...

Looks like one to get! I haven't included any geraniums in my garden yet. Max Frei might look good in the birdbath garden.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

It is perfect for a smaller garden area - does not get out of bounds.

Eileen

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

Well this one is so pretty I definitely wouldn't mind it reseeding. I like the foliage on this one too.

deb said...

Such a cutie!! Glad his offspring fit in ☺
*hugs*deb

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Catherine,itis a little more wispy when it reseeds but can be trimmed.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Deb, he is cute so I've kept him around even though he takes off every once in awhile!

Eileen

Debbie said...

I wouldn't mind if it grew all over my yard, so pretty! I sort of have this trouble with the California Poppy, but it blooms so pretty that I can't pull it up.

Tootsie said...

wish I had Geraniums that would self seed!!! can't wait to see more!
thanks for linking in today!!! have a wonderful weekend!

Lona said...

Oh Eileen how gorgeous your plantings are in those pots. The first one with the blue lobelia is so pretty for summer. The second I would love those colors for a fall pot.Very pretty.
Lona

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Lona,

That middle one did look good into fall. We put some little pumpkins and gourds in it for decoration.

Eileen