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While most lilies stare at the soil, the Stargazer faces the sky, thus the origin of the cultivar’s name.
The Stargazer (Lilium “Stargazer”) is a type of oriental lily with large flowers and a heavy scent. It blooms from the middle to the end of the summer and is best grown within zones 4 through 9 on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Find your growing zone here and then let’s get started planting and caring for your gorgeous Stargazer lily.
When and how to plant the Stargazer lily
- Choose the spot
- Check the soil
- Plant the bulb
- Water
- Top dress the soil
- Add a stake
Choose a sunny spot in which to grow the lily. Although Stargazer does ok in partial sun, you’ll get the spectacular flower show when planted in full sun.
Ensure that the soil drains well so that the bulbs and roots don’t rot from sitting in water. Work a 3-inch layer of compost into the top 6 inches of soil to ensure good drainage.
The depth you’ll plant the lily bulb depends on its size. Large bulbs should be planted at least 6 inches deep and place smaller bulbs 4 inches deep.
Cover with soil and water well – slightly deeper than the depth of the bulbs.
Top-dress the soil around the Stargazer lily with 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch, such as grass clippings, shredded or chopped leaves, wood chips or shredded bark, pine needles or compost.
Spread it from 2 inches away from the lily to f inches out, completely surrounding it.
The top-dressing helps insulate the soil and helps it retain moisture. As an added bonus, the material will break down, adding nutrients to the soil.
Finally, because some Stargazers can grow to a height of 3 feet, you may want to stake it to keep it from flopping over or snapping in high winds.
Pound the stake into the soil, 2 inches from the plant. Use caution as you pound so that you don’t hit the bulb. When the lily is tall enough, use soft plant ties or grow rings to tie it to the stake. Tie it naturally (see the diagram at the North American Lily Society’s website).
How to care for a Stargazer lily
Give the Stargazer one inch of water a week. When it’s hot you may need to water more often. While many gardening experts suggest using a soil moisture meter as a guide, the ones worth purchasing are pricey (at least $200). Amazon.com has many sellers who are selling the same made-in-China units, under different names, that are, frankly, garbage.
For about the same price as these cheaply-made meters, we recommend a soil sampling probe. Accuproducts makes a sturdy model that is ideal for the home gardener. You’ll find more information about it in the References section, below.
The soil should be moist to a depth of 6 inches.
Give the Stargazer its first dose of fertilizer as soon as the shoots emerge from the soil. Use a 10-10 formula, at the rate recommended on the fertilizer label.
As the plant begins producing flowers, switch to a 4-8-4 fertilizer and feed it monthly. Always water after fertilizing.
Keep an eye out for signs of an aphid infestation as these are the most common lily pests. Use a hard blast of water to knock the insects off the plant.
Professional growers recommend insecticidal soap sprays for larger infestations. See the References section, below, for suggestions.
When removing dead flowers, use sharp snips or pruning shears and clip it just behind the flower head, leaving the rest of the stem on the plant (it helps provide nutrition for the bulb).
As the season wears on and fall approaches, the Stargazer will wind down the flower show. When it turns completely brown, trim it all the way back to the soil. Cover the area with 2 inches of mulch and allow it to remain over the winter.
