"Stargazer' lily (Lilium orientalis 'Stargazer') was developed in the late 1970s as a cross between Lilium auratum and L. speciosum to intentionally create a flower with upward-facing rather than drooping flowers. The tips of the flowers are ""reflexed""—meaning that they curve back toward the stem—and they sport long, showy stamens. They are among the most fragrant flowers, with a spicy aroma that some people find a little overwhelming. With a diameter of 6 inches or more, they are exceedingly showy blossoms—there is nothing subtle about 'Stargazer'.
Fall is the typical time to put 'Stargazer' bulbs into the ground, but if you miss this planting time, you can also do it in early spring as soon as the ground can be worked.
Like all lilies, 'Stargazer' is toxic to cats.
- Common Name Stargazer lily, stargazer
- Botanical Name Lilium orientalis 'Stargazer'
- Family Liliaceae
- Plant Type Perennial bulb
- Mature Size 4 ft. tall, 1 ft. wide
- Sun Exposure Full sun
- Soil Type Loamy, moist, well-draining
- Soil pH Neutral, acidic
- Bloom Time Summer
- Flower Color Pink, white
- Hardiness Zones 4–9 (USDA)
- Native range Hybrid plant, no native range
'Stargazer' Lily Care
Tall enough for planting in the middle or back row of a flower bed, 'Stargazer' lilies can serve as focal points, as they are sure to catch the viewer's eye with large flowers bearing vibrant colors. Tall as they are, they generally do not require staking and are among the easiest of lilies to grow. Stargazers make excellent cut flowers, and they are attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.
Plant 'Stargazer' lily bulbs in the fall or early spring, 6 to 8 inches deep in the ground. Planting in groups of three or five bulbs gives a pleasing look in the garden. These tall, slender plants should be spaced 8 to 12 inches apart. They will do well in most soils other than constantly wet, clay soil that may cause the bulbs to rot.
Mulch over the base of the plants to keep the soil moist and cool. Unlike many tall plants, 'Stargazers' have sturdy stems that usually don't require staking.
Light
Stargazers do best in full sun (eight hours per day) but will tolerate part shade. Shady locations will cause the stems to get leggy and overly long and may require staking, which is unnecessary when planted in full sun.
Soil
Oriental lilies such as 'Stargazer' do well in any medium soil with average moisture. They prefer slightly acidic soils (pH 6.3 to 6.8) but grow fine in neutral soils. Feeding with an acid fertilizer helps them thrive in alkaline soils.
Water
'Stargazer' lilies need to be kept uniformly moist, but the bulbs may rot if allowed to soak in boggy conditions or standing water. They should be watered whenever the soil becomes dry to the touch. These plants require about 1 inch of water per week through rainfall or irrigation. Watering is best done by soaking the soil to a depth of 6 inches; do not water overhead, which can damage the blossoms. Mulching will help the soil remain moist.
Temperature and Humidity
Lilies do well across all climate conditions found in their hardiness zone range, provided soil conditions are suitable, but they truly thrive in hot conditions. Maximum bloom is achieved in midsummer conditions where temperatures consistently reach 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
'Stargazer' prefers to have its leaves and stems in full sun, but the bulbs kept cool. Planting them among other plants that shade the ground or covering the ground with thick mulch will help keep the bulbs cool.
Fertilizer
Like many plants with large, dramatic flowers, 'Stargazer' is a heavy feeder. For best performance, apply a generous amount of 10-10-10 fertilizer in the early spring after the shoots have emerged, then supplement with smaller feedings every few weeks through the growing season. Water deeply after each feeding. Where soil conditions are not ideal, feeding with an acid fertilizer, such as a formulation designed for azaleas, will help 'Stargazer' thrive.