Gallery Dahlia Dahlia 'Gallery La Tour' (PBR) (Gallery Series) (D)
ABOUT
The Dahlia 'Gallery La Tour' is a stunning member of the Gallery Series, known for its beautiful and vibrant blooms. This dahlia variety produces large, showy flowers that command attention in any garden display. The blossoms exhibit an alluring shade that can range from a soft, pastel hue to a more intense, expressive color. Each flower features numerous petals that are elegantly arranged in a geometric pattern, creating the traditional full and rounded dahlia bloom. The petals themselves are noted for their delicate texture and may have subtle nuances in color, often with a gradient or slightly different tint at the tips, providing additional depth and complexity to the flower's appearance. The blooms grow atop sturdy stems which are adorned with lush, green foliage. The leaves are typically oval-shaped with pointed tips and slightly serrated edges, contributing to the plant's overall bushy and robust aesthetic. As a member of the Gallery Series, this dahlia is bred to be a more compact plant, ideal for borders or container gardens where its ornamental value can be fully appreciated. Its floriferous nature ensures that it produces an abundance of flowers throughout its blooming season. The vivid blossoms make it a prime candidate for cut flower arrangements, where it adds a splash of color and elegance to any bouquet. With its rich coloration and classic dahlia form, Dahlia 'Gallery La Tour' is a captivating plant that can bring life to any garden setting with its stunning floral display.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Gallery La Tour Dahlia, La Tour Dahlia, PBR Gallery Dahlia
Common names
Dahlia 'Gallery La Tour'
ToxicityTo humans
Dahlias are not considered toxic to humans. They do not contain substances known to cause serious illness or death if ingested or handled. Therefore, eating or touching dahlias, including the 'Gallery La Tour' variety, should not result in poisoning or adverse health effects.
To pets
Dahlias, including the 'Gallery La Tour' variety, are generally considered non-toxic to cats, dogs, and other household pets. They do not contain substances that are known to cause serious illness or death in pets if parts of the plants are ingested. As with any non-food item, ingestion of large quantities could potentially cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea, but dahlias are not expected to be poisonous to pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
8-11
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Compact Growth: The dahlia 'Gallery La Tour' has a smaller, more compact size which is ideal for container gardening and small garden spaces.
- Vibrant Colors: This variety features vibrant blooms that can add a splash of color to any garden or landscape.
- Long Blooming Season: Dahlias are known for their extended blooming period, providing color from midsummer until the first frosts.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which can support the health of your garden.
- Easy to Grow: Dahlias are relatively easy to cultivate and can thrive with basic garden care.
- Versatile: Suitable for beds, borders, and containers, allowing for diverse garden designs and arrangements.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms make excellent cut flowers with a long vase life, brightening indoor spaces.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Edible Blooms: Dahlia petals are edible and can be used in salads or as a garnish to add a burst of color to a variety of dishes.
- Fabric Dye: The deep hues of the Dahlia flower can be used to produce natural dyes for fabrics.
- Photography Subjects: Dahlias, with their intricate patterns and vivid colors, make excellent subjects for macro and close-up photography.
- Creative Crafts: The petals of Dahlias can be pressed and used in creative craft projects like making bookmarks or decorating homemade cards.
- Plant Pigments for Painting: The pigments extracted from Dahlia flowers can be used as natural, eco-friendly watercolors for painting.
- Flower Arrangement Workshops: Dahlia flowers are popular choices for teaching floral design and arrangement due to their captivating appearance and versatility in bouquets.
- Horticultural Competitions: Dahlia enthusiasts often grow these flowers for competitive shows, breeding unique varieties for size, color, and form.
- Educational Tool: Dahlia planting can be used to educate individuals on plant biology, hybridization, and the life cycle of angiosperms.
- Companion Planting: Some gardeners use Dahlias in companion planting strategies to attract pollinators which can benefit other nearby plants.
- Mood Enhancement: The vibrant and diverse colors of Dahlias are known to enhance mood and can be used for therapeutic purposes in horticultural therapy practices.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiDahlias are not specifically mentioned in traditional Feng Shui practice, but in a general sense, vibrant flowering plants like dahlias can be used to add color and energy to a space, thereby enhancing the chi. Dahlias, with their variety of colors and full blooms, can represent wealth and success and may be placed in areas where you want to attract positive energy, such as the southeast for wealth or east for health. However, it's important to remember that thorny or spikey flowers are typically avoided in Feng Shui, so one must consider the shape and texture of the dahlia petals.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityDahlias are not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Elegance and Dignity: Due to its sophisticated bloom shape and stature, the dahlia represents elegance and dignity, making it a cherished flower in many social events and gardens.
- Commitment and Bond: Dahlias are often associated with lasting commitment and a lifelong bond between two people, hence their popularity in wedding bouquets and anniversary gifts.
- Change and Variety: With a wide range of colors and forms, dahlias symbolize diversity, change, and variety, reflecting the many facets of life and personal journeys.
- Creativity: The intricate petals and vibrant colors of the dahlia inspire creativity and the drive to express oneself in unique and innovative ways.
- Inner Strength: The sturdy nature of the dahlia's stem and its ability to bloom under adverse conditions is emblematic of inner strength and the ability to withstand challenges.
WaterDahlias, including the Gallery La Tour, prefer consistently moist soil but do not like to be waterlogged. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. They generally require watering two to three times a week, providing about one to two inches of water each time. During hot, dry periods, you may need to water more frequently. Adjust watering based on rainfall to ensure they receive enough moisture. It is better to water deeply a few times a week rather than a little every day, as this encourages deeper rooting. In total, aim to provide about one and a half gallons per week under normal weather conditions.
LightDahlias like 'Gallery La Tour' thrive in a location where they receive full sunlight, which is at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. An ideal spot would be in an area with southern or western exposure that benefits from the afternoon sun. However, in very hot climates, dahlias may benefit from partial shade during the hottest part of the day to prevent heat stress.
TemperatureDahlias, including Gallery La Tour, grow best in temperate conditions and can survive in temperatures ranging from about 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They are not frost-tolerant and should be planted after all danger of frost has passed, which is when soil temperatures reach about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Dahlias can survive up to a maximum of about 90 degrees Fahrenheit but will start to experience stress above that temperature.
PruningPrune dahlias such as the 'Gallery La Tour' to encourage robust growth, enhance air circulation, and shape the plant. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming throughout the season. Cut back stems after the first killing frost in fall if they are perennial in your region, or if grown as annuals, as soon as they finish flowering. The best time for major pruning is early spring, just as the new shoots are emerging from the ground.
CleaningAs needed
SoilDahlia plants thrive in a well-draining, fertile soil mix with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.5 and 7.0. A good mix can be created with equal parts garden soil, peat moss or compost, and perlite or sand to ensure adequate drainage.
RepottingDahlias, such as the Gallery La Tour, typically need repotting every year. They are not grown as perennials in pots due to their tuberous nature, so repot each spring before new growth begins.
Humidity & MistingDahlias prefer moderate humidity levels and do not require any special humidity considerations, making them adaptable to average outdoor conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright indirect light with good air flow.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, fertile soil, and space 12 in. apart.
Hardiness zone
8-11 USDA
Life cycleThe Dahlia 'Gallery La Tour', a cultivar from the Gallery Series, starts its life as a tuber planted after the last frost of spring when the soil warms up. The plant begins to grow shoots and leaves, establishing a root system and foliage through the late spring and early summer. Flower buds develop and bloom into vibrant flowers in various colors in the midsummer to early fall, depending on the climate and care. Throughout the blooming season, the plant can be deadheaded to encourage more blossoms and maintain its compact, bushy form. As temperatures drop in late fall, the plant's above-ground growth dies back with the first frost; however, the tubers can be dug up and stored in a cool, dry place over the winter. The following spring, the cycle can begin anew when the stored tubers are replanted, making the Dahlia 'Gallery La Tour' a perennial in terms of its tuber's life cycle but treated as an annual in colder climates.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Dahlia 'Gallery La Tour', known for its beautiful blooms, is typically propagated through division, which is the most popular method for this plant. This involves separating the tuberous roots of the plant in early spring before new growth begins. The tubers are carefully dug up and the clumps are cut into sections, ensuring that each section has at least one eye or bud. The divisions are then allowed to dry for a few days to form a callous over the cuts, which helps to prevent rot. After drying, the tuber sections can be planted in well-draining soil, placed about 6 inches (15 centimeters) deep and spaced about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 centimeters) apart, with the eyes facing upwards. This method allows gardeners to produce exact clones of the parent plant and is the preferred way to maintain particular cultivars like 'Gallery La Tour'.
