Garden

Stargazing

Sunil122K views

I’ve now got quite a few different types of lilies in the garden. They emerge, grow, flower and die at different times. At this late stage of the year, all but one set of lilies are now left to flower, they’re the ones we’ve been waiting for months now. They’re even more eagerly anticipated than the Lilium Regale.

They’re most popular and well-known of all the lilies, they epitomise all that is irresistible about this family, large robust flowers, textured, iridescent petals, the strongest, most deliciously sweet perfume that can fill the garden, pollen that is simply impossible to wash out. They are the Stargazers.

Lilium Stargazer knocks the socks off anything else. It’s bold, bright and beautiful. Some would call it gaudy but other than the Evening Primrose – which is still going – nothing else in the garden comes close to being so radiant. The sheer opulence of these lilies will keep the shadow of the coming Autumn and the turning of the year away, at least while they remain in flower.

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12 comments

gardeninacity 21/08/2012 - 9:21 pm
I need more lilies. Right now I have a lot of Asiatics and a few Oriental 'Casa Blanca.' Do you have any favorites other than Stargazer and Lilium regale?
Sunil 22/08/2012 - 6:28 pm
Those are the only ones I know of and we don't have space to grow many others. I would go for single flowered and highly fragrant, although that doesn't really narrow it down. You'll get lots of ideas from dedicated growers such as H W & Son.
Alistair 22/08/2012 - 10:23 pm
Hi Sunil, Stargazer is a knockout and a great picture of it. We have quite a few Lilies coming into bloom at the moment. We have a number of the Tree Lilies, developed in America where they are known as Orienpets a cross with Orientals and Trumpets. Last year they grew to 5/6 ft and they are said to grow taller in consecutive years, and true enough they are looking very strong and have reached seven feet this year.
Sunil 30/08/2012 - 10:02 pm
Hi Alistair, I had wondered about planting tree lilies but I think they're probably a bit too big for my liking - I prefer ones that are around my height. I can imagine how a group of tree lilies would look very impressive though.
Mrs Mac 22/08/2012 - 10:36 pm
I don't have these lovely creatures..... but I have had several different Haemerocalis (that is def. the wrong spelling!) Day lilies. I love them and have deep brick red, dusty pink, yellow, and cream. My favorite is quite a small one, with narrow petals called Crimson Pirate. They are over now, but I know they will be back next Summer.
Sunil 30/08/2012 - 10:04 pm
Hi Mrs Mac, we don't have Day Lilies at all, they need a lot of room in full sun and we don't really have that right now - not until more grass comes up anyway. I've seen some beautiful pictures of them and I think I prefer the lighter yellow colours.
Indie 23/08/2012 - 9:28 pm
I love Stargazers - they smell so sweet! Yours are beautiful. I would plant more lilies if the blooms lasted more than a couple weeks. (It's just too hot for them here.)
Sunil 25/08/2012 - 8:31 pm
That's a shame they don't last longer where you are. You could treat them as cutting flowers so when you see the buds colour, cut the stem mid-way up and take it inside and pop it in some water, they might last longer? You could try shading them with other plants to keep the hot sun off and see if that helps?
Stacy 24/08/2012 - 3:37 am
The world needs more of that kind of gaudy, especially since it inspires such wonderful poetry in garden bloggers! Absolutely gorgeous, Sunil.
Sunil 25/08/2012 - 8:36 pm
Hi Stacy, I agree. I would say it's a different kind of gaudy to Victorian summer bedding, which can induce migraine if stared at for too long!
Claire 26/08/2012 - 7:47 pm
Amazing. I didn't realise lillies could flower this late. Mine passed a very uncertain summer held on the verge of flowering for about 2 months with all the rain. Stunning plant.
Sunil 27/08/2012 - 10:04 pm
As well as the non-summer we've had, it's also their first year in the ground so that could have made flowering late too. I'm glad for the late summer colour and scent but they didn't half keep me waiting for it!
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