Lily Stargazer Oriental
Lilium 'Stargazer'
The most famous oriental lily, beloved for its intoxicating fragrance and dramatic upward-facing blooms with deep pink petals, white edges, and burgundy spots. These show-stopping flowers create an unforgettable display in mid to late summer, with each stem producing multiple large blooms that fill the garden with their legendary perfume. A must-have for cutting gardens and cottage-style landscapes.
Harvest
90-120d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
3–8
USDA hardiness
Height
1-6 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Lily Stargazer Oriental in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 flower →Zone Map
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Lily Stargazer Oriental · Zones 3–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May – June | July – August | July – September | — |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 11 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 12 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 13 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | February – April | — |
Complete Growing Guide
Stargazer orientals thrive in full sun with well-draining soil amended with peat moss or sand, as they're susceptible to root rot in soggy conditions—a critical distinction from hardier lily types. Plant bulbs in spring or early fall, spacing them 8-12 inches apart, and deadhead spent flowers promptly to encourage additional blooms throughout their 90-120 day season. These lilies attract spider mites and aphids more readily than asiatic varieties, particularly in hot, dry spells, so monitor foliage weekly and increase air circulation with strategic pruning. Stargazers have a tendency toward legginess on lower stems, so stake tall plants early or use them primarily as cut flowers to maintain attractive garden appearances. Crucially, remove stamens from open blooms immediately—their pollen stains permanently and actually redirects energy away from petal longevity, extending vase life and reducing garden mess.
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: High Organic Matter. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Harvest Stargazer Oriental lilies when the outer petals display their signature deep pink with white edges and burgundy spots fully developed, and the blooms feel firm yet slightly yielding to gentle pressure. Pick stems in early morning when flowers are at peak fragrance, cutting at least one-third of the stem length below the lowest bloom to encourage branching and continuous flowering throughout the season. Unlike single-harvest varieties, Stargazer produces multiple flowers per stem that open sequentially, allowing you to harvest progressively as lower buds mature. Remove spent blooms promptly to redirect energy toward developing upper flowers, extending your cutting garden's display well into late summer.
Three part capsule that splits open
Color: Green. Type: Capsule.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh-cut Stargazer stems last 7-14 days in a vase when properly conditioned. Recut stems under running water every 2-3 days and change the water completely. Keep arrangements away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maximize longevity.
For preservation, these lilies dry beautifully—remove stamens to prevent pollen stains, then hang stems upside down in a dry, dark, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks. The dried flowers retain much of their dramatic form and make stunning additions to wreaths and arrangements. You can also press individual petals between heavy books for craft projects. Remove stamens before drying to prevent pollen from staining the petals brown. Bulbs should remain in the ground year-round in zones 4-9 for perennial growth.
History & Origin
Stargazer was introduced by Oriental Lily breeder Jan de Graaff in 1974 at his Oregon Bulb Company, marking a significant achievement in mid-century lily hybridization. De Graaff, a legendary Dutch-American breeder, developed Stargazer through careful crosses within the Oriental lily group, selecting for the distinctive upward-facing bloom orientation and vibrant coloring that became its hallmark. The variety emerged during a golden era of ornamental lily breeding when American nurseries competed intensely to create novel cultivars for the expanding home garden market. Stargazer's immediate commercial success established it as a defining cultivar of modern Oriental lilies.
Origin: North America, Europe and Asia
Advantages
- +Intoxicating fragrance fills entire garden with legendary perfume
- +Dramatic upward-facing blooms with striking pink, white, burgundy coloring
- +Multiple large flowers per stem ideal for cutting arrangements
- +Reliable mid to late summer blooming creates unforgettable display
- +Perfect for cottage gardens and formal landscape focal points
Considerations
- -Highly susceptible to lily beetles and multiple pest infestations
- -Vulnerable to botrytis blight and lily mosaic virus diseases
- -Requires well-draining soil and careful watering to prevent basal rot
- -Moderate growing difficulty demands experience and consistent garden maintenance
Companion Plants
The shade-tolerant companions in this list — Hostas, Astilbe, Heuchera, and the various ferns — aren't just aesthetic pairings. Stargazer lilies want 4–6+ hours of direct sun but need their roots cool and shaded, especially in zone 7 Georgia where June soil temps can push past 80°F and stress a bulb before the plant ever blooms. Low-growing plants like Ajuga or Japanese Painted Fern placed around the base of the lily stems act as a living mulch: they slow moisture evaporation and don't compete at depth since their roots stay shallow while lily bulbs sit 6–8 inches down.
Impatiens and Caladium pull similar duty in shadier corners, filling the ground layer without crowding the lily's stem. They also help disguise the bare lower stalks that Stargazer tends to show as it gets taller — some plants reach 4–5 feet and go sparse at the base by midsummer.
The companions to avoid are worth understanding. Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) produces juglone, a compound that leaches through the soil and is broadly toxic — NC State Extension lists lilies among the sensitive species, and no amount of good soil prep fixes a juglone problem once the roots are in contact with it. Crown Imperial Fritillaria and Tulips are both bulb crops that share pest and disease pressure with lilies; stacking them in the same bed concentrates lily mosaic virus risk and gives Botrytis blight a continuous host chain across seasons. Run separate beds for your bulbs and put at least 15 feet between any Stargazers and a walnut canopy.
Plant Together
Hostas
Provide shade for lily bulbs and complement tall lily stems with broad foliage
Astilbe
Similar moisture and partial shade requirements, creates layered garden texture
Ferns
Provide ground cover and help retain soil moisture around lily bulbs
Heuchera
Low-growing companion that doesn't compete and provides colorful foliage contrast
Japanese Painted Fern
Thrives in similar conditions and creates attractive silver-green backdrop
Caladium
Complementary foliage colors and similar partial shade preferences
Ajuga
Forms dense ground cover that suppresses weeds around lily bulbs
Impatiens
Provides continuous color and thrives in the partial shade lilies prefer
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Tree
Produces juglone toxin that can cause lily bulb rot and plant decline
Crown Imperial Fritillaria
Competes for similar nutrients and can harbor lily-specific fungal diseases
Tulips
Similar bulb depth requirements create competition and increase risk of bulb rot diseases
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Susceptible to lily mosaic virus and botrytis
Common Pests
Lily beetles, aphids, thrips, slugs
Diseases
Botrytis blight, lily mosaic virus, basal rot
Troubleshooting Lily Stargazer Oriental
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Leaves and stems covered in irregular gray-brown patches that look water-soaked, often with fuzzy gray mold visible — usually after a stretch of cool, wet weather
Likely Causes
- Botrytis blight (Botrytis elliptica) — a fungal disease that thrives in humid, still air and temperatures between 55–75°F
- Crowded planting at less than 12 inches apart, trapping moisture between stems
What to Do
- 1.Cut off and bag all affected tissue immediately — don't compost it
- 2.Thin or stake surrounding plants to open up airflow around the stems
- 3.Apply a copper-based fungicide every 7–10 days during wet spells, starting before symptoms spread to healthy tissue
Bright red-orange beetles chewing ragged holes in leaves, or leaves stripped to the midrib — often with dark, slug-like larvae on the undersides
Likely Causes
- Lily leaf beetle (Lilioceris lilii) — adults are unmistakable red, but the larvae coat themselves in their own frass to hide
- The larvae do most of the real damage and are easy to miss until feeding is severe
What to Do
- 1.Hand-pick adults and larvae daily into a jar of soapy water — early morning is easiest while they're sluggish
- 2.Spray neem oil or spinosad on leaf undersides every 5–7 days once you spot the first adult
- 3.Check bulbs at planting time and destroy any overwintering adults in the surrounding soil
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Stargazer lilies take to bloom after planting?▼
Can you grow Stargazer lilies in pots?▼
Do Stargazer lilies come back every year?▼
Why are my Stargazer lily buds dropping before opening?▼
Should I remove the stamens from Stargazer lilies?▼
What's the difference between Stargazer and other Oriental lilies?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- ExtensionNC State Extension
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.