‘Knowing, Growing, Showing and Sharing’: Des Fleurs Garden Club helps Oxford bloom

Inloes Park at the intersection of Locust and High, the potted plants outside the Oxford Lane Library, the hanging flower baskets that decorate uptown – these are all the work of the Des Fleurs Garden Club, which has been helping Oxford bloom for over 65 years.

Des Fleurs is a nonprofit service organization dedicated to beautifying Oxford through various projects and events. The club centers on the theme “Knowing, Growing, Showing and Sharing,” as it's a way for members to serve their community while growing one of their own.

Its mission is to “encourage pride in home surroundings, explore the theory and practice of horticulture, promote environmental awareness and conservation, and to practice community service and beautification,” according to its website.

The club was founded in 1959 by a group of women who wanted to beautify Oxford with flowers while sharing their gardening experiences. One of their initial projects was removing tree stumps from around the city. Since then, the organization has grown to over 65 participants, facilitating several community projects, including hanging baskets, touring gardens and wreath making.

Debra Steger, incoming president of Des Fleurs, has been involved for 30 years. She’s had gardens all her life – from childhood to graduate school – but joined when she moved into a new house with two gardens and wanted to learn more about flowers.

“I learned about garden design and textures, leaves, how to plant, and how the garden is constantly changing, all through the other members of the club,” Steger said.

She now has 13 gardens at her house, each serving its own purpose. Most consist of perennials and line the edge of her property.

Steger said the club is very tight-knit. Everyone is friendly and supportive, and conversations aren’t always about their shared hobby.

“We're not just talking about our gardens,” Steger said. “We're talking about our lives, and it's just a lot of fun to have a group of women that rejoice when somebody's daughter (is) getting married, or somebody has a new grandchild, or some new person has come into the community and wants to join the club.”

Steger said Oxford residents might not realize how much the club contributes to the city.

“That is our art, that's our work and that's our contribution to making Oxford a nicer place to live,” Steger said.

Des Fleurs is made up of committees, most of which oversee a project, event or fundraiser. There are three tiers of membership, each with its own requirements, so many members are involved with several initiatives.

Steger has worked with numerous committees, including the ones that coordinate holiday wreaths and beautification awards. She's also helped with flower shows, auctions and garden maintenance at the Oxford Community Arts Center (OCAC). She was president from 2013 to 2015, and will be returning to the position in October.

Des Fleurs facilitates various ongoing community projects and has notably contributed to the Oxford Lane Library and OCAC. 

The organization used to donate gardening books, but now raises funds for the library to purchase them. Des Fleurs also funds the seasonal pots at both entrances.

Des Fleurs has funded and facilitated gardens and landscaping projects around the OCAC building, including a children’s garden planted in 2007 that provides hands-on experience for children attending environmental education opportunities.

The organization hosts various annual and bi-annual events, including a plant sale and auction, wreath-making, holiday luncheon and flower shows. Proceeds often go toward other projects in which the club is involved.

Steger said the club is currently focusing on its upcoming “Oxford In Bloom” Garden Tour, hosted every two years. This year’s tour will be June 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents can explore six unique gardens across the city and also visit a market with local vendors at the last stop.

Tickets are required and come as a booklet that includes the location of each garden, a short description and a list of vendors.

Ticket booklets are $20 and can be purchased through Des Fleurs’ website, club members or at Shademakers Garden Center. Additional information about tickets can be found on its website. All proceeds go toward beautification projects in Oxford.

The tours started in the late 90s after the club decided to start fundraising for hanging flower baskets, a project that began after some members took inspiration from a nearby city. This was around the time Steger joined.

“These garden owners have gone to a great deal of trouble to make their gardens in top condition, and it's just lovely to go see them ... it's like a treat too (for) all your senses,” Steger said.

Jan Ames, a member of Des Fleurs, had her garden featured on the previous tour in 2024. She was offered the opportunity after she and her husband were awarded Garden of the Month for June 2023 from the club, which has committees dedicated to highlighting landscaping around the city.

The recognition is what encouraged Ames to join. She said it was an honor to be featured on the tour and share with the community what she and her husband do, calling gardening and landscaping the “welcome mat to your home.”

Ames was previously a co-chair for this year’s tour committee, but stepped down due to health matters. She remains co-chair of the Inloes Committee, which oversees the maintenance of Inloes Park. A group of club members regularly gardens and weeds, while the City of Oxford helps remove bushes and large debris.

Ames has been gardening for over 60 years, and she started learning at a young age from her aunt, who grew flowers. She said her property proves you can maintain a beautiful garden without dedicating every hour of the day to it.

“I think it gave a lot of people encouragement that you can garden with a pot of flowers or a shrub in the ground,” Ames said. “You can make your property and your home enjoyable and enjoyable for others as they pass by.” 

Ames enjoys spending time with her fellow members and contributing to Oxford in the process. From working on Inloes Park to making wreaths together, she said the club is built on fellowship and camaraderie.

“It's fun, we laugh and howl, and just have an awful good time,” Ames said.

Meetings are the first Thursday of each month, February through November, and usually start at 1 p.m. They consist of a guest speaker, refreshments and a business meeting.

Des Fleurs has different membership options, depending on the level of involvement, and anyone interested in joining can contact the organization on its website or speak with a member.