Asiatic lily (Lilium 'Sterling Star')
Lilium 'Sterling Star' is a low-maintenance Asiatic lily perfect for summer color. Features light cream-white blooms in zones 4-8.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ offers gardeners a reliable burst of early summer color, classifying it as a highly desirable Asiatic lily hybrid. These varieties are esteemed for their resilience and vigorous growth, making them an excellent choice for both new and experienced cultivators seeking impactful vertical accents. The ‘Sterling Star’ cultivar specifically displays handsome light cream-white flowers accented by reddish spotting at the center, providing striking contrast in the mid-summer garden.
As an Asiatic lily, Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ is known for being one of the easiest lilies to grow, thriving with relatively low maintenance requirements across USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8. Planted as bulbs, these perennials emerge reliably each year to stand 2 to 3 feet tall on stiff stems. They deliver significant aesthetic value, adding formality and brightness to borders before many other summer bloomers take center stage.
This specific variety provides excellent material for creating focal points in perennial beds or as stunning additions to fresh-cut flower arrangements. By understanding the simple cultural needs of this bulb, gardeners can ensure a dependable, showy performance from their Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ collection year after year.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Liliaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 0.5-0.75 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: Light cream- white, reddish spots in center
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
The best time to plant Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ bulbs is typically in the fall, although some nurseries offer potted plants suitable for spring planting. Ensure they are established in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soil. These lilies prefer planting bulbs 4 to 6 inches deep, spaced about 12 inches apart in groups of three for the best visual impact. While they tolerate full sun, they particularly benefit from having their upper foliage in the sun while the root zone remains shaded and cool; applying mulch is an effective way to achieve this specific microclimate.
Watering needs for this Asiatic lily are medium; aim for consistently moist soil year-round, but take extreme care to prevent waterlogging, as excessive moisture leads quickly to destructive bulb rot. Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ does not require heavy feeding but benefits from rich, organic soil. After the flowers fade, immediately remove them (deadheading) to prevent seed formation. Crucially, do not cut back the leafy stems until they have completely yellowed after blooming ceases, allowing the foliage to replenish energy reserves in the bulb for next season’s performance.
If the stems of your Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ reach substantial height or if the location is windy, staking might become necessary to prevent bending or breakage. For the dedicated gardener, this low-maintenance bulb offers outstanding returns for minimal seasonal effort beyond planting and ensuring proper drainage.
Landscape Uses
Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ is an excellent, showy flower that provides excellent color and contrast right in the peak of summer within the perennial border. Planting these lilies in thoughtful groups or drifts, rather than singly, maximizes the impact of their upright structure and light cream-white flowers. They integrate beautifully alongside medium-height perennials that enjoy similar sun and moisture requirements, such as tall Salvia or late-blooming Peonies.
These Asiatic lilies also show great versatility, growing quite well in containers, though flowers may be slightly smaller when grown in pots compared to in-ground settings. Container growing allows you to place the Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ exactly where you need mid-summer drama, perhaps on a patio or deck. Their excellent performance as fresh cut flowers also makes them a functional addition, deserving of a spot near the cutting garden entrance for easy harvesting.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ belongs to the genus Lilium, comprising about 100 species of bulbous, herbaceous perennials native across Europe, North America, and Asia. This particular Asiatic hybrid lily is recognized for blooming early in the summer on rigid stems rising 3 to 4 feet tall. Asiatic lilies, as a group, are celebrated for their wide color palette and large flowers, and Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ provides excellent, non-fragrant beauty ideal for garden displays or cutting.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
For the average gardener, Asiatic hybrid lilies are perhaps the easiest lilies to grow, but vigilance against pests and diseases is still warranted. Lily leaf beetles can become a significant localized problem; inspect foliage regularly and initiate prompt control should these bright red pests appear, as they rapidly devour leaves. Bulb rot poses a major threat, especially if your soil drains poorly or stays perpetually saturated; ensuring sharp drainage is key to preventing this fungal issue.
Another potential issue is Botrytis, a leaf and stem spotting fungus, which is managed best by ensuring good air circulation around the plants—avoid planting them too closely or allowing them to become overly crowded. Furthermore, if Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ receives too much shade, the stems may weaken significantly, requiring strong staking to keep them upright against wind or their own weight. Prompt control of aphids is also vital to prevent the spread of lily mosaic virus, which has no cure once the plant is infected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ suitable for?
Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ is hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates across North America.
How large does the Asiatic lily grow?
The typical mature height for the Asiatic lily, Lilium ‘Sterling Star’, ranges between 2 and 3 feet tall, spreading about 0.5 to 0.75 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ need?
This plant performs best with full sun exposure, although it will tolerate part shade, especially if the roots are kept cool.
When does Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ bloom?
This variety typically blooms from June through July, showcasing light cream-white flowers marked with reddish spots in the center.
Conclusion
Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ remains a cornerstone for summer color, offering the rewarding visual impact of an Asiatic lily with exceptionally low maintenance. Its reliable performance, upright habit, and beautiful spotted white blooms make it a must-have for easy-care perennial gardens. Plan your planting project now, ensuring excellent drainage, and check your USDA zone compatibility to enjoy this striking lily starting next summer.
Companion Planting
When planning your border around Lilium ‘Sterling Star’, select plants that complement its height and cultural needs without competing heavily for root space or shade. Since Asiatic lilies prefer their root zones shaded, consider low-growing, bushy annuals or perennials that thrive in similar sun and moisture conditions. Hostas, particularly the smaller, strappy-leafed varieties with brighter foliage, are classic companions for shading lily roots while providing textural contrast throughout the season.
For mid-border companions that peak slightly later or flower earlier, consider adding Allium varieties or early-season Daisies. These plants provide structural interest before the main bloom of the Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ takes over, ensuring continuous color. Avoid broad-leafed, aggressive spreaders that might smother the base of the lily bulbs, as good air flow is essential for preventing fungal issues.
Design Ideas for Upright Accents
Utilizing the strong vertical lines of Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ is key to successful composition, especially in contemporary or cottage garden designs. Plant them in odd-numbered groupings—threes or fives—along the middle or rear of a border to create visual anchors that draw the eye upward. Their moderate height (2-3 feet) ensures they don’t completely obscure shorter, mounding plants placed in front.
To emphasize the light cream-white color of the blooms, contrast them against a deep green or dark-leafed backdrop, such as deep purple Heuchera or dark green evergreen foundation plants. This contrast will make the spots within the center of the Lilium ‘Sterling Star’ truly pop during the height of summer bloom time. These lilies are particularly effective when used to punctuate simpler drifts of ornamental grasses, offering structure that remains appealing even after the flowers have faded.
