Rosemère in Bloom: Celebrating 35 Years of Community and Environmental Excellence

The winners of the 35th edition of Rosemère in Bloom were revealed during a special ceremony on October 9, 2024, at the Memorial Community Center. This annual event has become a symbol of the town’s commitment to environmental sustainability and beautification, fostering a sense of pride among residents for their contributions to maintaining the community’s natural charm. The contest, which encourages Rosemère residents to submit photographs of their gardens, is a celebration of creativity, environmental awareness, and community spirit.
This year’s winners were recognized for their outstanding contributions to enhancing the town’s landscape. Among the top honorees were the joint winners in the Best Floral Front Yard category, with properties at 186 Bellerive and 296 Rose-Alma sharing the spotlight for their vibrant and well-maintained floral displays. Marilyn Proulx, who resides at 296 Rose-Alma, also took home the award for the Charming Small Space category, showcasing her ability to transform a modest area into an inviting and aesthetically pleasing garden.
In the Environmental Action – Butterfly Oasis Creation category, the property at 335 de Rosemère was celebrated for its innovative design in creating a haven for butterflies, demonstrating a thoughtful approach to pollinator conservation. Other notable winners included the Vegetable Garden award, presented to the gardener at 464 Northcôte for their productive and beautifully arranged edible garden, and the Backyard Garden prize, which went to the lush landscape of 268 de Rosemère. The Flower Display category recognized the impressive efforts at 472 de l’Érablière, while a new category, Pollinators in Action, was introduced this year, with 258 Fairfield winning for their photo capturing pollinators at work in a vibrant garden.
A special mention was given to the judges’ favorite in the Monarch Butterfly Conservation category, awarded to the property at 285 de la Clairière. This heartfelt recognition celebrated efforts to preserve the delicate monarch butterfly, an essential pollinator, and highlighted the critical role that local gardens play in supporting biodiversity.
Mayor Eric Westram praised the participants for their dedication, noting a record number of 116 entries—almost double the previous year’s submissions. This surge in involvement underscores the growing passion among Rosemère residents for contributing to the town’s beautification and environmental initiatives. “The creativity and environmental consciousness shown by our citizens is truly inspiring. Through their landscaping efforts, they not only beautify our community but also help sustain it for future generations,” Westram remarked.
The jury, made up of key members from Rosemère’s horticulture and urban forestry teams—Monique Keurentjes, head of Green Spaces and Environment, Stéphanie Milot, coordinator of Urban Forestry and Horticulture, and Marie-Michelle Moffatt, head of Culture and Heritage—carefully evaluated each entry based on a set of criteria that included originality, plant variety, cleanliness, and environmental impact.
In addition to celebrating this year’s winners, the event also reflected on the summer’s successful horticultural initiatives, including the highly popular Horticultural Bazaar on July 14. This event allowed residents to purchase plants, second-hand gardening tools, decorations, and furniture, with proceeds from both the bazaar and secret garden tours amounting to $3,779. These funds were donated to the local respite care organization Les Petits Plaisirs. The immense success of the event has guaranteed its return in 2025, with residents already marking July 13 on their calendars for another day of green-thumbed fun.
By continuing to promote sustainability and environmental awareness through initiatives like Rosemère in Bloom, the town reinforces its commitment to fostering a greener and more vibrant community. Events like these not only enhance the town’s aesthetics but also strengthen the bonds between residents, reminding everyone of the importance of working together for the betterment of the environment.