Stargazer Lily- Lilies are some of the most widely planted flowers in the earth. Look no farther than the diverse variety of meanings that lilies have acquired for a diverse range of civilizations in a diverse range of eras and places for proof. The ancient Greeks identified lilies with the goddess Hera, who nursed a newborn handed to her by the goddess Athena after being moved to pity by a narrative about how the infant had been abandoned to perish in the wild. According to legend, one drop of milk fell to the ground and became the first flower.
Another good example would be Easter lilies, which are a prominent emblem of Easter since they are thought to have sprung from Jesus’ sweat when he was praying the night before his crucifixion. There are several different legends about how lilies came into being and what they represent, which says something about their enduring appeal.
With being stated, it’s vital to remember that lilies aren’t a single flowering plant species or even a group of closely related flowering plants. True lilies, on the other hand, are a genus named Lilium that includes individuals that may be found over a large swath of Eurasia as well as another large region of the Americas.
Aside from real lilies, there are additional species that are called lilies but are classified under different genera, such as arum-lilies, day-lilies, and water-lilies, to name a few. These flowering plants come in a wide range of sizes, forms, colors, habitats, and other pertinent qualities, ensuring that interested gardeners will find something to their liking.
Humans, on the other hand, have never been satisfied with the plants that nature provides, so it should come as no surprise that gardeners have been hybridizing lilies for a long time. As a result, there is even more diversity in lilies than what nature would provide, which may be of interest to individuals who are interested in the complete range of alternatives accessible to them. Take a look at the so-called stargazer lily for an example of hybridization.
What Is a Stargazer Lily?
In a nutshell, the stargazer lily is a hybrid that belongs to the Oriental lily family. Oriental lilies, on the whole, are late bloomers, appearing between midsummer and late summer. They also have a pleasant smell and larger flowers that stick out to the eye, so it’s no surprise that they’re popular among gardeners. Stargazer lilies, on the whole, are fully capable of meeting up to the standards set by other Oriental lilies, though they do have their own unique qualities.
Stargazer lilies, for example, are pink lilies with a white fringe. This, predictably, implies that they can be confused with a variety of different lilies. The rubrum lily, which was actually the forerunner of the stargazer lily, is particularly noteworthy.
The rubrum lily differed from the other varieties in that it tended to point downwards, which made it unpopular with a wide variety of customers since it gave the impression that it was wilted even when it wasn’t. As a consequence, a lily breeder named Leslie Woodriff utilized the rubrum lily to develop a new hybrid with upward-facing flowers, giving rise to what is today known as the stargazer lily.
Moving on, it’s worth noting that the aroma of the stargazer lily is also worth noting. The smell is pleasant to the majority of individuals. Some people, on the other hand, have had significantly less pleasant experiences to the smell, reporting everything from nausea to migraines to breathing difficulties when they come into contact with it.
While their numbers are small, their situation was taken seriously enough for Sun Valley Farms, a California-based flower farm, to create a fragrance-free version of the stargazer lily for customers who enjoyed the beauty but couldn’t stomach the smell. Unfortunately, because there was little demand for such flowers, this version proved to be a flop, and they have since been discontinued.
Finally, there’s something to be said about the stargazer lily’s prospective applications. The plants aren’t really spectacular on their own, which is expected given that they were never supposed to be impressive in such surroundings. When curious folks see the flowers that have blossomed, however, that perception is quickly reversed. This is partly because to the blossoms’ size, boldness, and beauty, which few other flowers can match in varieties of sheer presence.
It should be noted, however, that a single stem may house anywhere from two to eight flowers, resulting in a much more spectacular image than would otherwise be feasible. When these features are combined, stargazer lilies are a popular choice for creating focal points in a landscape. Furthermore, they have a variety of different use, ranging from being used as cut flowers for decorative reasons elsewhere to attracting bees and other pollinators.
How to care Stargazer Lily?
Plant ‘Stargazer’ lily bulbs 6 to 8 inches deep in the ground in the autumn or early spring. Planting three or five bulbs in groupings of three or five creates a beautiful appearance in the garden. Plants that are tall and thin should be planted 8 to 12 inches apart. They thrive on most soils, with the exception of constantly moist clay soil, which might cause the bulbs to rot.
Mulch around the plants’ bases to keep the soil cool and wet. ‘Stargazers,’ unlike many tall plants, have robust stems that don’t require staking.
Light
Full light (8 hours per day) is optimal for stargazers, although they may also take partial shade. The stems will get lanky and too tall in shady areas, necessitating staking, which is usually never necessary when they are planted in brighter areas.
Soil
Oriental lilies like ‘Stargazer’ thrive on any medium soil with adequate rainfall. They grow best in slightly acidic soils, although they may also thrive in neutral soils. In alkaline soils, feeding them with an acid fertilizer helps them grow.
Water
The bulbs of ‘Stargazer’ lilies must be kept evenly wet, but if they are left to soak in swampy conditions or standing water, they may rot.
When the soil seems dry to the touch, they should be watered. These plants need approximately an inch of water every week, either from rain or irrigation. Watering should be done by soaking the soil to a depth of 6 inches; do not water above the flowers, since this may destroy them. Mulching will aid in keeping the soil wet.
Humidity and Temperature
Lilies grow well in all temperature zones within their hardiness zone range, as long as the soil conditions are right, although they excel in hot weather. In summertime, when temperatures typically approach 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, maximum flowering is obtained.
The leaves and stems of ‘Stargazer’ like full light, but the bulbs should be kept cold. Planting them amid other shade-loving plants or mulching the ground with a thick ground of mulch can help keep the bulbs cool.
Fertilizer
‘Stargazer,’ like many other plants with huge, dramatic flowers, is a heavy feeder. Apply a considerable amount of 10-10-10 fertilizer when the shoots have appeared in the early spring, then replenish with smaller feedings every few weeks throughout the growth season for optimal results. After each feeding, drink a lot of water. If the soil conditions aren’t right, feeding ‘Stargazer’ with an acid fertilizer, such as an azalea-specific formulation, will help it grow.
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What Should You Know Before Planting Stargazer Lilies?
When planting stargazer lilies, keep the following in mind:
They have a 36-inch maximum height
It’s worth noting that stargazer lilies may grow to be around 36 inches tall. This does not make them the tallest flowers in the world, but it does make them taller than a lot of the other selections available. It’s also worth noting that stargazer lilies have a spread of 10 to 14 inches, which is rather impressive. In any event, this is vital knowledge for gardeners who wish to plant their stargazer lilies in a way that allows them to bloom to their full space. It’s much more vital for individuals who like to plant in pots rather than in the garden, because they should aim for something with a diameter of at least 6.5 inches.
Buy the bulbs in the spring
Stargazer lilies are grown from bulbs. In general, the ideal time to buy these bulbs is in the spring, as this will give interested parties plenty of time to see them blossom into their full magnificence. When purchasing bulbs, buyers should search for those that are not only healthy-looking but also of a good size, as this will auger well for their future prospects. Naturally, they should avoid anything that appears to be rotting, since this is a clear indication that they should select something different.
Planting in the Garden
Although stargazer lilies aren’t very delicate plants, they still require the appropriate circumstances to thrive. One of those characteristics would be well-drained soil with enough of organic matter, while another would be good exposure to the sun, which would entail full sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. Furthermore, the bulbs should be planted 6 to 7 inches deep, with a spacing of 5 to 6 inches between them, before getting attentive watering for the best outcomes.
Planting in Containers
Planting stargazer lilies in containers should result in a depth of approximately 5 to 6 inches, similar to planting them in the garden. Once again, well-drained soil is essential, as is a container made of non-porous material like unglazed clay. People who are unsure what sort of soil combination is appropriate for their stargazer lilies could call their local gardening store to inquire about anything suitable for their plants. Lilies and stargazer lilies are popular plants, so this is a fairly solid approach to receive a good suggestion for those who are interested.
Use Caution When Fertilizing and Watering
When it comes to care for stargazer lilies, both over-fertilizing and over-watering are severe problems. When it comes to fertilization, the common consensus is that the plants should be fertilized once a month from the time they are planted in early spring until they complete flowering. Interested parties should, however, be sure to follow the directions that come with their specific brand of fertilizer, since they are there for a reason. When it comes to watering, make sure the soil is wet rather than soggy, which is troublesome since it might cause the bulbs to rot.
Cut Brown Leaves and Deadhead Flowers
Once the flowers have faded out of bloom, it is critical to deadhead them. This is done so that the plant’s available resources aren’t diverted to the development of seeds rather than the growth of flowers, resulting in a more colorful overall appearance than would otherwise be achievable. There are a few of simple techniques for deadheading flowers. Pinching the blossom just below the spent bloom but above the first set of healthy leaves is one option, while removing the spent flower entirely is another. The leaves of the stargazer lily should not be removed until they have gone brown. Feel free to cut them or otherwise remove them once they’ve done so. These two techniques may be time-consuming when combined, especially if interested parties have planted a large number of stargazer lilies that will require upkeep. They should, however, result in more stunning flowers than would otherwise be achievable.
Assist When Necessary
When it comes to blooms, one of the drawbacks of having larger-than-normal flowers is that they can become rather heavy in comparison to the stem’s weight-bearing capacity. As a result, it’s not uncommon for stargazer lilies’ stems to bend when they begin to bloom, causing them to lose their distinctive appearance. To avoid this, interested folks may choose to offer support with a bamboo or wooden stick to ensure that their flowers continue to look their best.
Pruning
After each flower has finished blooming, cut the small flower stem that separates the bloom from the rest of the plant to deadhead it. Deadheading stops seed pods from forming, which wastes energy that may otherwise be used to replace the bulbs.
After blooming, like with other bulb plants, you should leave the plants standing for as long as the foliage remains green. Cut the stalks down to ground level once the foliage has become entirely brown.
What Are Some Other Considerations When It Comes to Stargazer Lilies?
Finally, it should be noted that when it comes to planting stargazer lilies in their gardens, cat owners will need to exercise extra caution and care. This is due to the fact that real lilies, such as stargazer lilies, pose a major threat to cats.
In brief, when cats consume genuine lilies, they have a very detrimental effect on them. Lethargy and hiding are only a few of the possible symptoms, as are diarrhea, dehydration, and a lack of appetite. These symptoms should be reason for severe worry among cat owners who have either stargazer lilies or another type of genuine lily, as they are capable of killing cats who consume them. Even worse, it doesn’t take much exposure for cats to develop major issues, as simply anything as simple as chewing a few petals or leaves, or even getting into touch with the water in the vase, has been reported to create issues. If these issues are not addressed, cats may develop renal failure, which is a life-threatening condition.
