Care for Lilium Stargazers

While most lilies stare at the soil, the "Stargazer" — or "Star Gazer" — faces the sky. The Stargazer is a type of oriental lily with large flowers and a heavy scent. It may grow as tall as 3 feet, so staking may be required to keep it upright. The plant blooms from mid-summer to summer's end and grows best in zones 4 through 9 of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Organic mulch
Stakes
Plant ties
Grow rings (optional)
4-8-4 fertilizer
Pruning shears
Insecticidal soap

Instructions

- 1
  Topdress the soil around the Stargazer lily with 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch. Keep the mulch at least 2 inches away from the Stargazer.
- 2
  Tie each Stargazer to its own stake, placed 2 to 3 inches from the plant. Be careful to avoid damaging the bulb. Use soft plant ties to tie the lily to the stake. Instead of a standard stake, you may find grow rings at your local nursery. These are made especially for lilies. Follow the instructions that come with the product.
- 3
  Provide the Stargazer lily with an inch of water every week. During hot periods, you may need to water more often.
- 4
  Apply a 4-8-4 fertilizer to the soil once a month throughout the growing season according to the directions on the package.
- 5
  Snip off dead flowers just behind the flower head. Allow the remainder of the stem to remain on the plant. It and the foliage help provide nutrition for the bulb.
- 6
  Wait until the Stargazer's foliage turns brown to trim it back to the soil. Cover it with 2 inches of mulch for the winter.
- 7
  Keep an eye out for signs of an aphid infestation as these are the most common lily pests. Use a hard blast of water to knock the insects off the plant. If the infestation persists, use and insecticidal soap spray according to instructions.

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