Stargazer lilies are an oriental lily hybrid plant that may add gorgeous hues and floral scents to your garden. Stargazer lily blooms span the period of middle to late summer, peaking in mid- to late-June. The strong scents from their large colorful blooms, which range in color from light pink to dark crimson. Stargazer lily plants are popular among gardeners because they grow tall and are simple to cultivate.
Stargazer lilies get their name from the fact that their stems grow tall and the flowers look to the heavens, despite the fact that they appear like stars. Stargazer lilies may grow to be 3 feet tall (0.9 meters) in poor soil.
Each stem produces two to eight 6-inch (15-centimeter) diameter flower blooms. You’ll find out everything there is to know about this beautiful “star gazing” lily in this article. If you want to grow oriental lilies in your garden, you’ll also learn the best tips.
What is a Stargazer Lily Plant (Oriental Lily)?
Stargazer lilies (Lilium) are a kind of hybrid lily plant that looks like wild red lilies from Japan and Asiatic lilies. Stargazer lily blooms are known as “starburst lilies,” “starlight lilies,” or simply “Stargazers.” Stargazers are one of the simplest oriental lilies to cultivate in your garden or in pots, and they may be found from many different species.
Stargazer lilies may be planted in well-drained sandy soil, and they develop from bulbs. Clay soil, on the other hand, will support them.
Stargazer lily leaf type
The Stargazer lily has Lance-shaped leaves that alternate up the stalk. The lower Stargazer lily leaves frequently fall off as the plant grows taller.
Stargazer plant flowers
The center of Stargazer lily petals is typically dark pink or crimson, with the edge fading to white. White to very light pink are the most common hues of petal edges and tips. Stargazers have petals that curve back on themselves, and star lily blooms have huge petals that bloom widely open. Long, striking stamens are covered in dark yellow pollen in the centre of the flower. Some people believe that the multiple rows of bright pink petals on double bloom stargazer lily flowers are even more stunning.
Stargazer blooms have another distinctive characteristic: dark crimson speckles that appear to cover the entire bloom. Up to and 8 enormous vibrant blooms can be produced by just one Stargazer stem. These hybrid lily blooms rise upward towards the heavens, unlike most kinds of lilies whose blooms fall down. This permits you to appreciate the magnificence of these huge pink showy blooms. Oriental lily hybrids like Stargazer lilies
When do star lily flowers bloom?
In the middle of to late summer, you can expect your oriental lily to bloom. Stargazer lily bulbs are supposed to bloom by July or August if they have been sown in the spring. You shouldDeadhead each bloom when it has finished blooming. Stargazers will grow and bloom year after year if they are in the right circumstances, because they are perennial plants.
What do Stargazer lilies smell like?
Strong fragrant aromas may be described as the scents of oriental lilies and Stargazers. Stargazers blooming with pungent sweet foreign fragrances are a delight in any garden. Stargazers may be too overpowering for some individuals, however. If the blooms are in enclosed spaces, the strong aroma of oriental lily types may induce headaches, nausea, and even respiratory problems.
Stargazer Lily: The Most Popular Varieties
Stargazer lilies are a disease-resistant and easy-to-grow hybrid oriental lily. Stargazers are more fragrant and taller than asiatic varieties of lilies, being a kind of oriental lily. Stargazer lilies come in three distinct forms, both in pots and in the garden:
Pink Stargazer The deep pink or red blooms of this lily make it the most common kind of star gazing lily. The Pink Stargazer thrives in partial sun and direct sunlight and is a hardy lily hybrid.
White Stargazer Lilies have huge gorgeous white blooms with curled back petals that release strong scents. White Stargazer lilies are shorter than Pink Stargazer lilies and prefer full sun.
Golden Stargazer In comparison to the classic Pink Stargazer, this is a newer arrival. These oriental hybrid lily blooms are golden in color with occasional crimson spots and are quite showy. During the months of July and August, Golden Stargazers bloom.
Varieties like Black Beauty, Casa Blanca, and Mona Lisa are other types of oriental hybrids that aren’t Stargazers.
How to Grow and Care For Star Lilies
Perennial plants that bloom every year, star lilies are simple to maintain. Stargazers flourish in sandy soil and need to be watered on a regular basis throughout the summer. You may cut the stems back to allow the lily bulbs to regain energy before the flowering season, when the foliage has died down.
Lily gardeners like to utilize the back row of a flower bed to create a lovely floral backdrop. When lilies are planted in clusters, their blooms become even more stunning.
Planting Stargazer Lilies in Containers
Stargazer lily plants thrive in containers and may be used to create wonderful floral displays on a balcony, patio, or decking area. You can grow lilies indoors in containers with the correct care and attention. You’ll need a pot with a diameter of around 7″ (17 cm) to cultivate Stargazer lilies in pots.
To choose soil that drains well, choose slightly acidic to neutral soil. Water well and put your oriental lily bulbs 6 inches into the soil. Stargazer lily bulbs are best planted in pots during the spring. You may get blooms by late summer if you plant them any time throughout the growing season.
Planting Stargazer Lilies in Your Garden
To create lovely colorful displays, most gardeners plant these summer-blooming lily hybrids in their gardens. Butterflies and hummingbirds will also like the flowers in the garden.
When to Plant Oriental Lilies
Stargazer bulbs should be planted in your garden in early spring, so that they have enough time to grow and blossom by mid-to-late summer. Oriental lily bulbs need to be planted at a depth of 6 inches (15 cm), so dig them deeply. Select soil that drains well and has a pH of between 6.5 and 6.9 when placing the bulbs.
Stargazer lily bulbs may also be planted in the autumn. By the following summer, they will be able to develop a strong foundation for growth and flowering. You may cover the ground with mulch throughout the winter to help preserve the bulbs from freezing weather. To help the lilies flourish, remove the mulch in early spring and replace with light organic compost.
Where to Plant Stargazer Lily Bulbs?
When grown in regions of your garden that get plenty of sunlight, Stargazer lily plants thrive best. You should also plant “Star gazer” bulbs in good soil that drains but retains moisture. Mulching is recommended in hot regions to help retain moisture and prevent the soil from drying out.
Select an location in your garden where the tallest blooming plants will create a colorful highlight when deciding on the best place to plant your lily bulbs. Lilies may be planted approximately a foot apart if they’re close together. In the summertime, this will result in clusters of stunning pink, white, or golden flowers.
How to Care for Stargazer Lilies
Stargazer oriental lily hybrid growth is one of the joys of having little care requirements all year. To ensure good, healthy growth, here are a few growing tips for oriental lilies.
Light requirements for healthy lily plants
Stargazer lilies need a lot of light to grow to their full height, even if they can tolerate some shade. You should also plant companion plants around lilies to provide shade for their roots to help keep them blooming all summer.
How to water Stargazer lilies for good growth
Stargazer lilies growing in pots or in the garden will need to be watered sufficiently so that the soil stays moist. If the ground conditions become soggy, be careful not to over-water since this may cause roots to rot.
Soil requirements
Even in less than ideal soil circumstances, lilies are simple to cultivate. Nonetheless, make sure the soil is somewhat acidic and well-drained to maximize growth potential. It’s also a good idea to incorporate organic material into the soil.
Fertilizer for oriental lilies
Feeding will promote huge, colorful blooms even though Stargazer plants may develop without much care. In early spring, dig in organic compost around your stargazer lilies to care for them best. This will help keep the soil moist while also giving enough nutrients for the blooming season. A 10-10-10 variety, which contains equal proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, is appropriate if you decide to apply commercial fertilizer. For best results, fertilize in early spring.
When and How to Prune Stargazer Lilies
To promote growth and preserve the lilies’ health, they should be pruned yearly. You may want to cut off the flowers and put in a vase indoors because the magnificent perennial blooms and double blooms make for stunning floral displays. You can cut off the anthers from the stamens that protrude from the flower’s center if you do this. Yellow pollen cannot stain materials such as carpets and clothes when it is not present.
After you’ve deadheaded flowers, Stargazer lilies will bloom every year. Where the flower stalk meets the stem, cut it. This method prevents seed pods from forming and helps your oriental lily bulbs flourish. When the foliage starts to turn brown, you can trim your lily stems below the ground. Lily bulbs may only need some mulch to survive the winter in most climates and may survive well throughout the winter.
How to Transplant Stargazer Lilies
Your Stargazer lily plants may be considered for transplantation at some point. Annual plants like oriental lilies may outgrow their allotted space and become perennial. Stargazer lilies may be moved with equal ease as they can be cultivated and maintained. Behind shorter plants, pick a section of your garden that receives full sunlight all day.
Dig up the lily bulbs carefully before transplanting them. Mature lilies have smaller bulbs that may be removed from around them and used for propagation, as you can see in the image above. Where you want your lilies to grow, replant the bulbs. The bigger bulbs should be 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 cm) deep, while the mature bulbs should be 5 to 6 inches (12 to 15 cm) deep in the ground. Cover the newly planted lily bulbs with soil and water them well before layering a layer of mulch over them.
Stargazer oriental lilies should be planted at the end of summer, when they have finished blooming. Plant three or more lilies in a cluster, spaced 9 to 12 inches (22 to 30 cm) apart, for the most stunning effect. Stargazer hybrids may be transferred to your yard in the same manner that lilies are transferred to your garden.
Diseases that Can Affect Stargazer Lily Plants
Stargazer lilies are robust plants that can grow in most sunny places, but they may be afflicted by a variety of diseases and pests. Lily fungus may cause brown spots on the leaves of lilies, according to the Royal Horticultural Society. This fungal infection may kill the entire leaf if it is not treated. You should remove and destroy yellowing leaves that have brown spots if you notice them. This will prevent future infection.
Lily bulbs should be discarded and destroyed if they become infected with fungal disease or viruses. Plant new lilies in contaminated regions for at least five years to avoid them becoming infested. The eggs of lily beetles are laid on lilies and are a garden pest. As the leaves grow, the larvae eat them. Lilies may be stunted by an infestation of lily beetles, preventing them from blooming the next year.
The bright red wing casings and black head of lily beetles are easy to see. B beetle holes in your lily leaves are also a common sight, indicating that the insects are feasting on the plant. Regularly examine your lilies for signs of insect pest infestation and delete beetle larvae as soon as you notice them.
Several organic or natural pesticides may be used to control insects that plague your garden, such as the lily beetle (Lilioceris lilii). Neem oil, for example, is a natural insecticide that may help keep lily beetles at bay and protect your plants. Diatomaceous earth (DE) can also be used to repel lily beetles and other pests that harm your plants. Sprinkle it around them. Read more about diatomaceous earth as a garden pest control option.
Are Stargazer Lilies Toxic?
Humans and most pets are not affected by stargazers. Stargazer and other oriental and Asiatic lilies, on the other hand, are poisonous to cats, according to the journal Veterinary and Human Toxicology. (3)
How to Care for Lily Flowers Indoors
Stargazer lily blossoms, freshly picked, may provide a vibrant pink, white, or golden show of exquisite flowers in any area. You may chop off the end of the stamen where the pollen is if you want to enjoy gorgeous lily blooms in your home. Pollen stains on clothing will be avoided by removing the pollen from your cut flowers. Don’t use anything wet to remove pollen stains from lily flowers, because it’s usually easier to get rid of it dry. Using sticky tape is the quickest and most effective way to remove pollen.
Where to Buy Stargazer Lily?
You can plant lily bulbs in the spring and enjoy their blooms throughout the summer at most good garden centers. You may also buy three or more lilies in a container. Stargazer lily bulbs may also be purchased from a number of online retailers (such as this one). Always confirm that the bulbs are of high quality and disease-free by reading reviews from previous customers.