What’s Blooming at GCNH

Meet the Growers

Deborah

Member Spotlight: Deborah Dyette Desir, MD

June, 2026
Meet Deborah Dyett Desir MD, a member of the Garden Club of New Haven since 2009, seventeen years and still “growin” strong. Her involvement is impressive, she served as Assistant Treasurer, Treasurer and Vice chair of Horticulture.

Deborah’s love of plants started as a college freshman when her mom gave her a beautiful flowering begonia on drop off day. Deborah was struck by its beauty and that was the start of her cultivating plants.

Today, Deborah has over 270 house plants, each one gets its own special exam and recommendation- finding the correct balance of light, water and humidity is a must to keep them healthy and growing. Her collection is diverse, although her fondness is for African Violets, Streptocarpus, Jade plants, Orchids, huge Philodendrons, large Peace Lilies, Succulents and a 46 year-old Ficus tree. She also treasures a few of her Mom’s Thanksgiving and Christmas Cactus which are 50-60 years old. In addition to tending to her indoor plants she finds time for her outdoor garden as well. Her favorite plants are Hostas, Dahlias, Peonies and Tulips.

Deborah’s plants have won many awards over the years. In 2026 she entered 58 plants to the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show in Hartford and received 57 ribbons. In 2017 her Amaryllis’s won 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the GCNH Amaryllis Bench Show and in 2023 her Parrot Tulip took Best in Show at GCNH Tulip Bench Show.

Deborah ‘s tips are simple- to be successful, when bringing in a new plant into your home, always quarantine it first before placing it near existing plants, as this avoids spreading new pests or diseases. If light is limited, choose plants that do well in low light. If you travel, select plants that require little watering.

Deborah has propagated quite a few of her plants- especially Jade, Succulents and African Violets, and they are magnificent! Every one of her plants on display look as though they just arrived from the most exclusive plant store-perfect in every way!