I absolutely lover Stargazer lilies. Their color and texture are hard to ignore.
Their aroma draws anything with a nose closer. It is hypnotic in nature.
But beware of getting too close while entranced. That rusty, dusty pollen has a dark secret.
It stains everything it touches. Sniffer beware.
If you want to clip some for an arrangement, it is best to snip off the stamens first.
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Another flower that goes over the top showing off is the Stargazer lily.
Its colors demand attention.
Its fragrance lures you over to it.
The plant is poisonous if ingested.
Its pollen stains you with it’s deep rust if you touch it.
The faces are head high and look up bravely into yours.
This lily is a diva.
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The most beautiful lily on the planet has a flaw.
It’s its pollen.
The anthers (male parts) start out harmless.
They surround a single long, green pistil (female part).
As the flower matures, the anther ends turn inside out.
This exposes the pollen which looks like rust dust.
It stains anything it gets on.
Flower shops usually remove the male parts of lilies.
This avoids issues caused by pollen, but changes the look of the flower.
I love Stargazer lilies, but I am not a pollen fan.
Their scent is heavenly, but keep your nose away from those anthers.
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P.S. Stargazers, like other lilies, are poisonous to cats.
It is hard to miss this show-off in my garden right now.
If you are not looking in its direction, its fragrance will turn your head.
This Stargazer Oriental lily/ Lilium orientalis has doubled in size since last summer.
The only drawbacks are the staining orange pollen and that it is toxic to cats.
(I do not have a cat, but needed to share that for my cat-loving readers.)
Some flowers are beautiful. This one is crazy beautiful!
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floweralley 