How to Grow and Care for 'Stargazer' Lily

'Stargazer' lily (Lilium orientalis 'Stargazer') is a large, showy, very fragrant perennial that blooms in mid- to late summer. The flowers are pink and white with tips that are "reflexed", meaning they curve back toward the stem. They sport long, showy stamens and can reach up to 4 ft. tall.

'Stargazer' lily 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. They are among the most fragrant flowers, with a spicy aroma that some people find a little overwhelming. They symbolize wealth, prosperity, and ambition. Like all lilies, 'Stargazer' is toxic to cats. Read on for our care guide.

Planting 'Stargazer' Lily Bulbs

Plant 'Stargazer' lily bulbs in the fall or early spring, 6 to 8 inches deep in the ground. 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. Purchase bulbs as close to the time you are going to plant them.

Lilies hate being crowded by other plants, so avoid planting them among ground coverings or other types of plants that spread aggressively. The best companion plants for lilies include shorter annuals (such as pansies and zinnias) or other bulbs (like hyacinths and daffodils). 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.

'Stargazer' Lily Care

These are the main care requirements for growing 'Stargazer' lilies:

• Generally don't require staking
• Easy to grow
• Does best in full sun
• Attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators
• Keep moist
  

Light

Stargazers do best in full sun (eight hours per day) but will tolerate part shade. They prefer morning light. 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 and die 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

While lilies do well across all climate conditions in their hardiness zones (provided soil conditions are suitable), they truly thrive in hot conditions. Maximum bloom is achieved in midsummer where temperatures consistently reach 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

'Stargazers' prefer to have their leaves and stems in full sun, but the bulbs like to be 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.

'Stargazer' Varieties

'Stargazer' varieties may carry proprietary names particular to the company selling them, but in general, they fall into three categories:

• Pink Stargazers: This well-known type is dark pink to red with white edges and rose- or brown-colored spots. It is hardy in zones 3 to 8 and flowers in early to midsummer. It is fairly compact, growing to about 30 inches. This type tolerates some shade.
• White Stargazers: White 'Stargazer' varieties have very large, showy blooms with petals that curl back at the tips. They are good for warmer climates, through zone 10. This type requires full sun and grows as much as 48 inches tall. It flowers in mid- to late summer.
• Golden Stargazers: This new category is a cross between Oriental lilies and trumpet lilies. It has deep yellow blooms with red spots, with petals that curl back at the tips. It does well in part shade to full sun, grows to 4 feet tall, and flowers in midsummer. It is suitable for zones 3 to 9.

Pruning

Deadhead each 'Stargazer' lily flower after it is done blooming, making your cut on the small flower stalk that separates the bloom from the rest of the plant. Deadheading prevents the formation of seed pods, which consumes energy that would otherwise go to replenishing the bulbs.

As with all bulb plants, you should let the plants continue to stand after blooming, for as long as the foliage remains green. Once the foliage turns completely brown, cut the stalks down to ground level.

Propagating 'Stargazer' Lily

Hybrid plants such as 'Stargazer' lilies are often a little more temperamental than other lilies, and they reproduce less vigorously than straight species lilies. Like most lilies, 'Stargazer' bulbs create small "bulblet" offshoots attached to the parent bulb. Here's how to propagate these offshoots to create more plants:

1. After the plant has gone dormant in the fall, dig up the lily bulb and carefully remove any offshoot "bulblet(s)".
2. Replant the parent bulb in the original hole.
3. Dig a new hole for each offshoot at the same depth as the parent bulb (4-6 inches) and place the bulblet in the hole, pointed side up. Fill the hole with soil.

Lilies can also be propagated by breaking off the layered leaf bases of the bulb (called scales) from the parent bulb and replanting them. Either way, it generally takes several years for the replanted bulblets or scales to become large enough for the plants to bloom.

Potting and Repotting 'Stargazer'

If growing Stargzers indoors, plant them in pots at least 6 inches wide and use potting soil heavy with organic material and a pH of 6.3 to 6.5. A potting soil heavy in peat moss is naturally acidic and makes a good choice. A mixture of 3 parts garden soil, 2 parts peat moss (or coco coir, for a sustainable alternative), and 1 part sand also makes a good growing medium for potted lilies.

Lilies grown indoors are usually smaller and they require relatively warm conditions—68 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and no lower than 60 degrees at night. Grow them in conditions that are as bright as possible.

How to Get 'Stargazer' to Bloom

'Stargazer' lily bulbs may be "forced" to bloom, for example, on Mother's Day or other holidays.

Bloom Months

'Stargazer' lily blooms in the midsummer.

How to Force 'Stargazer' Lily to Bloom

To force lilies to bloom at a designated time, the bulbs will first need to be chilled for a period of about 12 weeks (this can be done in a refrigerator), then planted about 90 days before you want them to bloom. For example, if you want bulbs to flower on Valentine's Day, chilling should begin around September 1, with the bulbs planted just before Thanksgiving. It can take some experimentation to achieve the right timing to produce blooms exactly when you want. When chilling in a refrigerator, make sure to keep the bulbs separate from fruits and vegetables, which are off-gas substances that can affect lily bulbs.

What to Do With 'Stargazer' Lily After It Blooms

Forced bulbs usually don't bloom again, even if you plant them outdoors afterward; they are discarded after flowering, Therefore, the potted lilies won't outgrow their pots and won't need repotting. If your 'Stargazer' was not forced to bloom, you can deadhead after blooming finishes. Cut just below the flowerhead and above the leaf, leaving as much foliage as possible.

Overwintering

The plants will die back in the winter but before that, you can trim off dead foliage and cut back the stems to the ground. Add a thick layer of mulch (a few inches) in very cold regions to keep bulbs warm and to protect them from pests. Remove the mulch in the early spring. Do the same for bulbs in pots. But you can also dig up the bulbs, dry them off, and put them in a paper bag for the winter before replanting them in the early spring.

Common Pests & Diseases

Hybrid lilies are usually pest-free, but potential diseases include lily mosaic virus, bulb rot, and botrytis (a fungal disease). Diseased plants should be promptly removed (including the bulbs) and destroyed.

From: thespruce