Question
Hi,
I have grown columbine for years in my zone 5a gardens. Partial shade beds are where they have always been.
This year for some reason the leaves have asort of mottling on them. Any idea what might be wrong?
We have had a very hot(for here) summer so far.

Answer
Just to give you a little background - spider mites love hot dry weather; overhead watering and humidity will ruin their fun in the sun.

Reason is, there is a natural fungus in most gardens that keeps the spider mites population from doing any significant damage - most of the time.  But the fungus needs moisture to thrive.  When we have a summer drought, the natural fungus weakens; spider mites are suddenly free to breed and attack plants unprotected by the natural pathogens.  By getting general moisture levels up, you turn on the natural garden stun guns, aiming them straight at spider mites.  Interesting, huh?

It should not be too difficult to get your Columbine back in the saddle.  Relief is just a few daily spritzes away.

These are not the same fungus that cause

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Very pretty flowers, Columbine, mine are blue and we love to see them bloom in spring (zone 7).

"Mottling" can be many different images.

Do you know what spider mites look like?  Would you call that Mottling?  Do they look sort of bleached in places?  Hot + Dry + invisible problem = Spider Mites.

Sounds like a tiny insect, if you can get your hands on some Safer insecticidal soap you can try spraying the leaves.  It won't fix the damage, but it will keep your Columbine alive.  My best guess - any thoughts?