“My heart found its home long ago in the beauty, mystery, order, and disorder of the flowering earth,” Lady Bird Johnson, First Lady and wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson.
For more than a century, Oberer’s Flowers—a fifth-generation, family floral business—has helped customers show their love, express their gratitude, celebrate milestones, and share the sympathies of loss through the beauty of flowers.
With roots tracing back to a successful vegetable gardening business founded north of Dayton by German immigrant Carl Oberer in the 1890s, Oberer’s Flowers has flourished over the decades into an industry-leading floral innovator, now serving communities across West Chester, Dayton, Columbus, Louisville, Ky., and two Greater Indianapolis locations.
I’ve personally ordered from their West Chester shop on several occasions, and each time, the arrangements have been stunning—fresh, long-lasting, and perfectly curated. The service at Oberer’s Flowers consistently goes above and beyond, which is why I’m excited to recommend them here.
To learn more about what makes this local florist so special, I sat down with Jenny Azwol, manager of the Oberer’s Flowers West Chester store at 7675 Cox Lane, for a quick Q&A:
Q: On a typical day, how many floral arrangements will your West Chester store create for customers?
We create anywhere from 15 to 50 custom arrangements each day, depending on how busy we are. Some days are steady, while others—especially holidays—are beautifully hectic!
Q: Can you estimate what percentage of those arrangements are picked up versus delivered?
Roughly 85% of our arrangements are delivered by our drivers, while about 15% are picked up in-store. Delivery is definitely the more popular option, especially for surprises and special occasions.
Q: Your West Chester location has ready-made arrangements for walk-in customers. If someone wants to pre-order something special, how much notice should they give?
We do keep a selection of gorgeous ready-made pieces available, but if you’re looking for something more personal, we recommend giving us at least an hour’s notice. That gives us time to check our flower market and see what we can create same-day. If you can give us 24 hours, we can usually make just about anything you dream up.
Q: What is the temperature inside your walk-in cooler where flowers are stored?
Our cooler stays between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit to keep our flowers at peak freshness. We also have a built-in humidifier to keep the stems hydrated. That’s why we tell customers not to put their flowers in a home fridge—most fridges are too cold and too dry, which can actually damage your blooms.
Q: How often do you receive fresh flower deliveries in bulk?
We get a shipment from our Dayton location every day—except Saturday night. This keeps our flower market stocked with fresh inventory and allows us to fulfill both custom and same-day orders quickly.
Q: How did you first get into the art and business of flowers?
Each of us here came into floristry a little differently. I was hired for my background in art and my love for working with people. One of our designers studied Floristry professionally, while another grew up learning from her father and fell in love with flowers early on. It’s a beautiful mix of passion and talent.
Q: How many years have you worked in the floral industry, and what changes have you seen?
I’ve been in the floral industry for about three years. One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed is the evolution of prom styles—from traditional corsages to dainty hand-held bouquets. Every season brings new trends and creative challenges.
Q: What trends or innovations are you noticing in the floral world right now?
We’re seeing a strong shift toward more natural, organic-looking arrangements. People are embracing a “wildflower” feel rather than tightly structured designs. There’s also a growing interest in flowers that feel unique or meaningful to the customer, rather than just sticking with seasonal standards.
Q: Who leads the artistic design for the arrangements featured on the Oberer’s website?
One of the best parts about working at Oberer’s is that creativity is encouraged at every level. While Tracy in our Dayton Design Center is a major contributor, designers across all locations are welcome to submit ideas for featured pieces.
Q: When creating a custom arrangement with creative freedom, where do you draw inspiration?
Inspiration can come from anywhere, but for me, it usually comes from nature—shapes, movement, and the season’s color palette. Lately, I’ve been loving the combination of peaches, pinks, yellows, and bright greens. It feels fresh, joyful, and unexpected.
Q: What are your favorite flowers to work with and why?
Everyone here knows I’ll sneak Solidago (Goldenrod) into almost anything! It adds the perfect texture. Peonies are my all-time favorite spring flower—their lush, full petals bring so much life and beauty to an arrangement.
Q: What flowers are the most challenging to work with?
Great question! As a team, we all agree—orchids and hydrangeas can be tricky. Hydrangeas, especially, drink water like crazy and wilt fast if they’re out of it even briefly. You have to really baby them.
Q: What are the best ways to help an arrangement last longer at home?
The key is clean water and a little care. Change the water every other day, recut the stems at an angle, and use the flower food that comes with your bouquet. These little steps can give your flowers a few extra days of life. And when they do fade, consider drying them—you can keep those memories forever.
Q: What’s one of the most memorable arrangements you’ve ever made?
One that always stands out was a funeral piece for a passionate golfer. We recreated a mini putting green inside the arrangement—it was heartfelt, personal, and really fun to design.
Q: Do you have tips for customers who want to preserve flowers from their arrangement?
Absolutely! For drying, hang them upside down in a dark, dry spot—that helps preserve both shape and color. If you’re pressing them, use a flower press or a heavy book (old encyclopedias work great). Arrange the blooms carefully, sandwich them between parchment or wax paper, and then stack more books on top. Check them in a few weeks!
Q: Have you ever been allergic to any flowers you work with?
Personally, no—but I’ve seen the pollen from lilies take a few people down. That yellow dust is no joke!
Q: What’s the largest arrangement you’ve ever made?
That one’s easy—we have a fabulous regular who orders massive, dramatic, asymmetrical arrangements every time. Each one runs around $300, and she always asks us to top the last. It’s one of my favorite projects to work on.
Q: Do you have a personal favorite flower?
I do! I have a tattoo of a calla lily, but my true favorite is the peony. It’s the fragrance, the fullness, the way it fills a space—it’s just so romantic and lush.
Q: Oberer’s offers monthly specials that match flowers to birthstone colors. Why do customers love this?
It’s such a thoughtful, fun way to celebrate birthdays. The birthstone bouquets feel really personal and specific—it makes gift-giving feel extra intentional.
Q: Your Design Classes allow customers to learn how to build arrangements themselves. How long have you been offering these, and how popular are they?
We’ve been offering Design Classes for quite a while, and they’re always a hit. Our Saturday classes usually sell out fast, while Tuesday sessions tend to be smaller and more intimate. They’re perfect for a night out or learning something new!
Q: Do customers need any floral experience to sign up for a Design Class?
Not at all! No experience is necessary. We’ve had everyone from grandparents to kids to coworkers join in. We even offer private classes—either in-store or we’ll bring the floral fun to you.
Q: For private Design Classes, what kinds of groups typically book them, and how far in advance should they do so?
We’ve hosted everything from birthday parties to wedding rehearsal dinners and company team-building events. We recommend booking a few weeks in advance to secure your preferred date—but we’re always happy to try and accommodate!
Flowers That Say It All
Whether you’re celebrating, honoring a memory, or simply brightening someone’s day, Oberer’s Flowers adds thoughtful design to every bloom.
Want more local picks? Check out this list of events.
