Lily 'Star Gazer' Lilium 'Star Gazer' (Viia/c)
ABOUT
'Star Gazer' is a robust lily with racemes of upwards-facing deep pink flowers with paler edges and deeper spotting towards the centre
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Stargazer Lily, Oriental Lily.
Common names
Lilium 'Star Gazer'
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
3 feet [0.91 meters]
Spread
1 foot [0.30 meters]
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The Star Gazer lily is known for its vibrant pink and white petals with speckles, making it a visually striking addition to any garden or bouquet.
- Fragrance: This lily variety is highly regarded for its sweet and strong fragrance which can enhance the sensory appeal of both indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Attracts Pollinators: Star Gazers can attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to your garden, which helps to promote a healthy and thriving ecosystem.
- Easy to Grow: They are relatively easy to cultivate, making them a good choice for both experienced and novice gardeners.
- Cut Flower Use: The blooms are long-lasting when cut, making them a favorite for floral arrangements and bouquets.
- Symbolic: These lilies are often associated with purity, commitment, and rebirth, which can add meaning to garden spaces and arrangements.
- Versatile Planting: Star Gazer lilies can be planted in borders, containers, and as focal points in gardens due to their striking appearance and vertical height.
- Gift Potential: The universal appeal of the Star Gazer lily makes it an ideal gift plant for various occasions.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- The Stargazer lily's petals can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics, imparting a subtle pink hue to textiles.
- These lilies are often used in perfumery for their strong and distinctive fragrance, which is used to create floral-scented perfumes.
- Stargazer lilies can serve as a source of inspiration for artists and photographers, often becoming the subject of paintings and photographic art due to their striking appearance.
- During festive seasons, the plant can be used as a natural decoration, with its vibrant colors adding to the aesthetic of holiday decor.
- The dried flowers of the Stargazer lily can be incorporated into potpourri mixes, adding both scent and color to the mixture.
- Because of their large and showy flowers, Stargazer lilies are sometimes used in floral water gardens as floating decorations.
- In culinary contexts, the petals of these lilies can be used as a garnish for desserts, provided they have not been treated with any harmful chemicals.
- Stargazer lilies can be planted strategically in gardens to create visual pathways or borders that guide the eye through the landscape.
- The strong stems of Stargazer lilies make them ideal for use in structural floral arrangements, such as in standing sprays or tall centerpieces.
- The symbolism associated with Stargazer lilies, such as purity and sympathy, allows them to be used in ceremonial contexts, like weddings or memorial services.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Stargazer Lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Stargazer Lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Innocence: The 'Star Gazer' lily is often associated with purity and innocence, reminiscent of its pristine appearance.
- Aspiration: The upward-facing blooms suggest reaching towards the heavens, symbolizing ambition and aspiration.
- Beauty: With its striking colors and dramatic presence, 'Star Gazer' lilies represent exceptional beauty.
- Life and Renewal: As a perennial blooming year after year, they embody the concepts of life and rebirth.
- Prosperity: The bountiful appearance of the flowers can symbolize abundance and prosperity.
- Sympathy: Often included in sympathy floral arrangements, they convey empathy and condolence.
WaterStargazer lilies should be watered thoroughly once a week, with a preference for longer and deeper watering sessions than frequent light sprinkles. Use about one gallon of water for outdoor plants or enough to ensure the soil is moist but not soggy at a depth of about 6 inches. For lilies grown in containers, adjust watering to maintain consistent soil moisture, as potted lilies may require more frequent waterings. Ensure good drainage to prevent water from pooling around the roots, as standing water can lead to rot and fungal diseases.
LightStargazer lilies perform best under full sun conditions, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Plant them in a location where they can receive an ample amount of sun throughout the day. Partial shade is tolerable, especially in regions with very hot summers, but blooming may be reduced.
TemperatureStargazer lilies thrive in temperatures between 65°F and 75°F during their growth period. They can survive winter temperatures as low as 0°F, but should be protected with mulch in colder climates. The maximum temperature for these lilies should not exceed 90°F for sustained periods as high heat can stress the plant.
PruningPruning Stargazer lilies is not necessary for the health of the plant, but removing spent flowers can encourage more blooms. Prune away dead and yellowing leaves to maintain plant appearance and reduce the chance of disease. After blooming has finished for the season, cut back the stalks to just above the soil level once they have died back naturally, usually in fall.
CleaningAs needed
SoilStar Gazer lilies prefer well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter; an optimal mix would be loamy soil amended with compost and peat moss. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingStar Gazer lilies should be repotted every 3 to 4 years or when they become overcrowded in their current container, ensuring they are planted at the same depth as before.
Humidity & MistingStar Gazer lilies thrive best in moderate humidity levels; they do not require highly humid environments but should not be in overly dry conditions either.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant in well-draining soil with full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life of the 'Stargazer' lily begins with a bulb, which sprouts in spring to produce a stem, leaves and eventually magnificent blooms typically from mid to late summer. After flowering, the plant sets seeds in pods that, if left to mature, will spill when the pods crack open. The foliage gradually yellows and withers and the plant enters dormancy in the fall. During dormancy, beneath the soil, the bulb replenishes and stores energy for the next growing season. As winter ends, the cycle repeats as the bulb sends up new shoots to start the growth process anew. If the bulb is divided or bulblets are produced, they can be planted to propagate new plants, initiating their own life cycles.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The Star Gazer lily is commonly propagated through the division of its bulbs, which is best done in the fall after the foliage has died back. To propagate, carefully dig up the plant and gently separate the bulblets, which are small bulbs that have developed around the base of the main bulb. These bulblets can be replanted immediately; they should be placed in well-drained soil and situated with the tip of the bulblet just below the soil surface. It is important to allow enough space for the new plants to grow, generally 8 to 12 inches apart. The new plants will typically bloom within one or two years following this method of propagation.
