Some flowers become household names, like Wave Petunia. And anyone who’s been to a wedding or two, or walked past the floral display counter at the supermarket, is familiar with Stargazer Lily. They have a strong beauty and their heavenly fragrance is anything but subtle.
We know they make a nice wedding bouquet, and we’ve seen them in floral arrangements, but wouldn’t it be nice if we could grow them in our perennial gardens? Well, we can. As always, I’m a good test subject, because if I can do something, anyone can. And we’ve grown Stargazer lilies for several years now.
Admittedly, Stargazer Lilies are not the most winter-hardy lily choices for the Upper Midwest. They belong to the class of lilies called Orientals. The more complete name should be Stargazer Oriental Lily. The most winter-hardy, most prolific, and most common lily class is the beautiful Asiatic type. They’re wonderful, and well-worth growing, but the Orientals like Stargazer add another dimension, slightly different in appearance, and with a much stronger fragrance, perfuming the entire flower garden.
If they’re less winter-hardy, how will Stargazers do in the Upper Midwest? Well, like many perennials that are a bit on the edge, it depends where we plant them. There’s a great difference between planting a perennial on a windswept prairie hillside or new development where winter winds sweep away even the barest trace of insulating snow, versus a protected location within a yard with generous snowcover and a stable environment.
If given a little extra care, Stargazers can do well:
- Plant in a sunny location that receives six hours or more of direct sun.
- Locate in a sheltered microclimate that receives good snowcover.
- Oriental Lilies prefer lighter soil. Amend heavy clay with generous amounts of organic material like compost or peatmoss. They will enjoy a longer life, if soil is amended.
- Oriental lilies can’t have ‘wet feet.’ To promote good drainage, pull the surrounding soil into a slight mound, even just a few inches higher, to form a lily planting bed that will shed excess water.
- Although they can’t have soggy soil, lilies do appreciate moisture. Mulching with shredded bark is appreciated.
- For extra insurance, mulch the Stargazer planting with 12 inches of leaves or straw in early November. Leave the tops intact over winter, and remove in spring.
Oriental Lilies bloom just a little later than the popular Asiatic lilies, making them a good combination to extend the lily blooming season. As always, perennial beds are fantastic with a combination of perennial types.
Happy Gardening! 
Apparently, based on my experience, they are quite tasty to rabbits.
Yes. Rabbits and deer both love lilies.