The Stargazer Lily is a highly recognizable and popular ornamental flower, celebrated for its dramatic appearance and intense, sweet fragrance. This hybrid cultivar is a standout in the garden and the floral industry, offering large, showy blooms. It combines visual appeal with a powerful aroma, making it a favorite addition to landscapes or homes.
Defining Characteristics and Origins
The Stargazer Lily, scientifically classified as Lilium orientalis ‘Stargazer’, is an Oriental hybrid created by California-based lily breeder Leslie Woodriff. Developed in 1974, this cultivar was a significant breakthrough because it corrected a common issue with its predecessors, whose flowers tended to droop downward. Woodriff named his creation “Stargazer” because its large flowers face upward toward the sky, a trait that makes the blooms much more visible.
The physical appearance of the Stargazer is striking, featuring six large petals, or tepals, that can measure six to eight inches in diameter. These satiny petals are typically a deep crimson-pink or fuchsia color, bordered by white edges and heavily spotted with darker, reddish-brown speckles. The flowers grow on strong, upright stems that usually reach a height of three to four feet, though they can sometimes grow taller. The powerful, pleasant fragrance is perhaps its most defining characteristic, capable of perfuming an entire room or garden area.
Essential Growing Conditions
Successfully growing Stargazer Lilies requires attention to light exposure and proper soil conditions to ensure vigorous growth and abundant blooms. These lilies perform best when planted in a location that receives full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, though they can tolerate partial shade. In regions with intense afternoon heat, a spot that provides morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal to protect the foliage and flowers.
The bulb should be planted in well-drained soil, as the fleshy bulbs are prone to rotting if they sit in standing water or boggy conditions. While they can adapt to various soil types, Stargazers prefer a slightly acidic pH range of 6.3 to 6.8. Bulbs should be planted deeply, typically about six inches down, or roughly three times the height of the bulb itself, and spaced eight to twelve inches apart.
Consistent moisture is necessary throughout the growing season, but the soil surface should be allowed to dry slightly between waterings. Applying a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant helps keep the roots cool, conserves soil moisture, and suppresses weeds. These perennial plants are hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9, and they benefit from a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer application in the early spring as shoots emerge.
Toxicity Concerns, Especially for Pets
It is important to recognize that the Stargazer Lily, as a true Lilium species, poses a significant health hazard, particularly to felines. The entire plant is considered highly toxic to cats, and ingestion of even a small amount can lead to severe, acute kidney failure. This toxicity applies to all parts of the plant, including the leaves, petals, pollen, and even the water in a vase holding the cut flowers.
If a cat is observed chewing on any part of a Stargazer Lily, or if pollen is seen on its fur, immediate veterinary care is necessary. Symptoms can include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite, with kidney damage signs appearing within 12 to 24 hours. While the exact toxic agent is unknown, the prognosis is significantly better if treatment is initiated quickly. The Stargazer Lily is generally not considered toxic to dogs or humans, though minor gastrointestinal upset may occur in dogs after ingestion.