Stargazer pink Oriental lily

Focal flower · Liliaceae

Oriental lily

Lilium Oriental hybrids

Also known as Stargazer lily

Large, heavily scented blooms traditionally associated with purity, renewal, and sympathy.

Colour: Stargazer pink

Often given for admiration.

Use in a bouquet All flowers

Toxic to cats. Read the pet-safety note

Peak season
Jul–Aug
Vase life
7–14 days
Birth month
—
Colours
3

What the Oriental lily means

Lilies have been linked to purity and renewal for centuries: in Christian art the white Madonna lily stands for the Virgin Mary, and white lilies remain a common flower of sympathy, often read as the restored innocence of the departed. Oriental hybrids, bred largely in the 20th century from Japanese species, are prized for their size and strong fragrance. The Stargazer, bred in California in the 1970s, was named for its upward-facing flowers. Pink lilies are often given for admiration, though these meanings vary by tradition.

Flower meanings come mostly from Victorian floriography, and they vary between books, eras, and cultures.

Often sent for

  • Sympathy
  • Mother's Day
  • Birthday
  • Thank you

By colour

  • Stargazer pink Often given for admiration.
  • White Traditionally, purity; a common flower of sympathy.
  • Blush Associated with gentleness and admiration.

Keeping it fresh

Available year-round from greenhouses; garden Oriental lilies bloom mid to late summer.

  1. 1 Pull off the orange anthers as each bloom opens; the pollen stains fabric, skin, and petals.
  2. 2 If pollen lands on fabric, lift it off with tape rather than rubbing it in.
  3. 3 Recut stems and remove leaves below the waterline; buds will open over several days.
  4. 4 Snap off spent blooms to keep the stem looking fresh.

Pet safety

  • cats Toxic
  • dogs Non-toxic
  • horses Non-toxic

Lilies can cause kidney failure in cats, and even a little pollen or a sip of vase water is dangerous. ASPCA lists them as non-toxic to dogs and horses.

Source: ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plants. If a pet eats any plant, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.

Did you know

The Stargazer lily was bred in California in the 1970s and stood out because its flowers face upward rather than nodding.

Pairs well with

Make your own Oriental lily bouquet

Pick a vase, add a card, and share the link — no delivery van, no wilting.

Open Flower Studio