Gentians are those deep blue, star-like flowers that open on mountain slopes in late summer, and they turn out to be wonderful subjects for paper. This version is not folded from one sheet but assembled from four identical petal units that slot into each other, so the finished bloom has real depth from every angle. You will spend most of your time on one simple unit, and the second, third and fourth go together much faster. Use a set of blues and violets, plant them on thin paper stems, and you have a small bunch of gentians that will outlast every real bouquet on the table.

How to Fold an Origami Gentiana

What you need: 4 sheets of origami paper

If you fold it from 7.5 cm square sheets, the finished flower stands about 8 cm tall.

STEP 1. Crease the sheet vertically, horizontally, and diagonally.

STEP 2. Fold two corners in so their tips meet at the center, then unfold them back out.

STEP 3. Fold one of the two corners toward the point marked with the red circle.

STEP 4. Next, fold along the dotted line to add another crease.

STEP 5. Fold the left and right sides toward the crease.

STEP 6. Fold along the dotted line, then unfold it.

Turn the piece over.

STEP 7. Fold it back along the dotted line so the red lines line up with each other.

STEP 8. In the same way, fold the other side back along the dotted line so the red lines match.

STEP 9. Fold the left and right sides in so they are drawn together by the creases you made.

STEP 10. Open only the top layer.

One petal part is complete.

STEP 11. Make four identical pieces and join them together.

STEP 12. Tuck each piece into the gap of the next one.

All four parts are now joined.

Turn the flower over and it is done.