Stargazer lily
Lilium 'Stargazer', family Liliaceae
A sky-facing, fragrant hybrid lily first bred in California in 1974
The Stargazer lily is a hybrid from the Oriental lily group, bred in California in the 1970s. Its large, upward-facing flowers are known for their strong scent and are popular as cut flowers and in gardens. This lily is easy to grow in sunny spots but is highly toxic to cats.
- Created in California in 1974 by Leslie Woodriff
- Blooms face upward, unlike most Oriental lilies
- Strongly scented flowers bloom in mid-to-late summer
- Highly toxic to cats, even in small amounts
What does Stargazer lily look like?
Stargazer lilies grow up to about 3 feet tall and spread around a foot wide. Each stem usually carries four or five large blooms. The flowers face upward, which is unusual for Oriental lilies, and are known for their strong, sweet fragrance. Their petals are broad and often have a striking color pattern, though the sources do not specify the exact colors.
Where does Stargazer lily come from?
This lily was developed in California by breeder Leslie Woodriff in 1974. It belongs to the Oriental group of lilies, which are known for their large, scented flowers. The name 'Stargazer' comes from the way its blooms point toward the sky, setting it apart from other Oriental lilies whose flowers often droop.
When and how Stargazer lily blooms
Stargazer lilies bloom from mid to late summer. They grow best in full sun and prefer soil that drains well, such as loamy or sandy types. These lilies are grown from bulbs and have a quick growth rate, making them a favorite for gardeners and florists alike.
How Stargazer lily is used
People often grow Stargazer lilies in gardens or use them as cut flowers for gifts and home decoration. Their strong scent makes them popular in floral arrangements. However, all parts of the plant are highly dangerous to cats, so care is needed in homes with pets.
Kinds of Stargazer lily
Stargazer is one of many Oriental lily hybrids, a group known for their large, fragrant flowers. While this variety is famous for its upward-facing blooms, other Oriental lilies may have flowers that hang downward. The sources do not mention other named cultivars.
What Stargazer lily means
Since their introduction, Stargazer lilies have become widely used in floral design and home gardens. Their unique skyward blooms and strong scent have made them a favorite among florists. The plant is also well known for being hazardous to cats, which is often highlighted in care advice.
Questions people ask about Stargazer lily
Where did the Stargazer lily come from?
The Stargazer lily was bred in California in 1974 by Leslie Woodriff. It is a hybrid in the Oriental lily group.
What makes the Stargazer lily different from other lilies?
Unlike most Oriental lilies, Stargazer blooms face upward toward the sky. The flowers are also known for their strong fragrance.
Is the Stargazer lily safe for pets?
Stargazer lilies are extremely toxic to cats and can cause serious health issues if ingested. They are not known to be harmful to other pets or to people.
When do Stargazer lilies flower?
They bloom in mid-to-late summer, producing several large, fragrant flowers on each stem.
How are Stargazer lilies used?
They are popular as garden plants and as cut flowers for gifts and home decoration, thanks to their scent and showy blooms.
Good reading and sources
- Lilium 'Stargazer' on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lilium 'Stargazer'", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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