How to Grow Stargazer Lilies
Growing beautiful stargazer lilies seems like a daunting task--how can such a strikingly unique and unusually large flower that seems to defy gravity be easy to grow? It is, however, with a little instruction and a few tips, you too can bring these jaw-dropping beauties into your landscape.Stargazer lilies will last for years with the proper care, and grows easily in zones 4-8. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Patience is rewarded...
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Determine the location for your stargazer bulbs, and for each bulb, dig a hole three times the bulb's height. Remove any rocks that might impede the growth of the stalk when it emerges. Place the bulb in the hole with the pointy side up–if in doubt, plant the bulb sideways. Cover the bulb with soil and sprinkle with a small amount of fertilizer. Bulbs may be planted in the fall or in the spring.
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Water the emerging plants regularly, although they don't mind drought periods as long as the roots remain cool. Overwatering may cause the plants to rot, so it's best to err on the side of caution as far as water is concerned.Too much water may also attract slugs, which find lily leaves delicious. If slugs are a problem, place saucers of beer around the plant at night, which attracts them and they drown.
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Fertilize the plants in June, July and August with a light application of general purpose fertilizer around the base of the plant.
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Deadhead the flower after it has finished blooming, which allows the plant to focus on its bulb, not setting seeds. Simply clip off the flower and about 6 inches of the stem below the flower. Leave the rest of the stem until fall, when you can cut back the entire plant to 3 inches.
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Tips & Warnings
Generally, you do not need to stake up the plants; the thick stalks usually keep the plant upright even as it blooms with multiple blossoms. The fully grown flowering plant can grow up to 5 feet tall.
You can transplant stargazer lily plants after they bloom. Planting them in bloom will cause the blossoms to fall off.
Stargazers can be a little too fragrant for indoors; you can reduce the scent by wiping off the orange stamens with a tissue before cutting the flower.
To keep stargazer blossoms inside longer, cut the stem on the diagonal with a sharp knife and place in lukewarm water with a light dose of floral preservative.
The heavy scent of stargazers can give some people headaches.
Resources
- Photo Credit Linda Batey
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Comments
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I live near Chicago and my lilies that plant in the ground seem to dissappear the next year. I also have problem with deer and do they love to eat the blossoms. So, I planted in big tubs this year that I plan to bring into my garage in the winter. My garage stays just above freezing. I am hoping that my bulbs survive and multiply. Has anyone tried bringing them in over the winter? Maybe I will get January blooms? Or will the lack of freeze just retard them?
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what happened to my star gazer lilies, they lost their fragrence and changed color.
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Can I move them at this time of year? June in western Ma.
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gen gave me a stargazer kc last mothers day. sayang neman, buri ke sana i-keep.
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sis, try it...they're in season now i guess it's one of the most adorn flowers here in San Fran.. my mom in-law thought i gave her an artificial bouquet of stargazers last mother's day....i told her they're the real ones...
