How to Care for a Columbine Origami Plant

Your columbine origami plants need shade.

Columbine origami is the common name for Aquilegia x caerulea, a perennial plant with colorful blooms. This columbine hybrid blooms in late spring and can continue blooming for several months. The length of blooming time is longer than for many columbine types. A variety of color mixes are available, ranging from blue and white to red and yellow. Flowers can be several inches wide, and the plant tends to produce copious blooms. It can add a considerable splash of color to a garden.

Instructions

1. Choose a location that will provide at least partial shade for the columbine.

2. Turn the soil well before planting the columbine. Consider adding compost to enrich the soil. Columbine origami prefers soil that is loose and well drained.

3. Plant the columbine origami at least 1 foot apart. They can spread out up to 18 inches wide and tall as they grow. Water thoroughly after planting and consistently from there on out. The plant does well in moderate to moist soil.

4. Cut columbine origami back to its base in the fall. Leave a few inches of the plant above the soil level. The plant will renew itself in the spring. Remove any dead leaves at this time.

Tips & Warnings

• Columbine origami can be effective for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to a garden.

• Columbine origami can grow in USDA phardiness zones 3 through 9.

References

• Perennial Resource: Aquilegia x caerulea "Origami Mix"

Resources

• United States National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map