Expert: Long Island Gardener - 8/14/2008

Question
QUESTION: I absolutely love stargazers. I recently bought a plant that has already grown and bloomed. I replanted into a larger pot and was wondering what I have to do to the plant come the winter time. Can they be left outside, or do I have to bring them inside. Will they bloom more than once in a season, or is it a one shot deal? If there is anything else I should know, please add that on.

Thank you.

ANSWER: Provided you have a place in the garden to PLANT it (and Stargazer is an Oriental Lily by the way), you can and should leave your Lily outdoors thorugh the Winter.  It goes dormant and prefers it that way.

The roots much be underground for protection.  The stems are hardy, but the roots won't be able to withstand cold temps that you get in the Winter unless they have the underground protection.

Stargazers bloom as a rule in late July/early August.  Once the bloom is done, that's the end of the show for the season.  They don't have the resources to bloom more than once.  Pity.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Are there any books you can recommend for the oriental lily? I want to get bulbs and plant them, but I have never done this before and really want to give it a go.

Answer
You can spend plenty of money on books, but you don't need that to plant a few Bulbs.

Much better: Sign up for a membership in the North American Lily Socieyt:

http://lilies.org/

Benefits include use of their Lily library, a Lily flower show, the quarterly bulletin and lots more.  If you run into a difficult problem, you have lots of Lily lovers to ask for guidance.  And later, if you really want a book, you'll be making an informed decision.

Now it's my bedtime.  Thanks for writing,

L.I.G.