Midland garden award winner seeds ‘inspiration’ in community
By: Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: MidlandToday.ca, Sep 15, 2025
If ever curious about what ‘inspiration’ looks like, take a drive through the western corner of Midland to check out this year’s local garden of the year.
Irena Boucher received the annual award for her front-yard garden on Dina Crescent, and told MidlandToday that the surprise came after she and her husband John returned from a health-related visit to Toronto.
“We came back the next day, and suddenly I saw a letter,” said Boucher. “It was a really big surprise for me, yes.
“For years, all our neighbours were always telling me: ‘It’s a good garden, it’s a beautiful look, gorgeous.’ From the spring, they started to bloom; after summer, the flowers were blooming; and now it’s fall, and they’re blooming as well.”
In 2004, Boucher moved from Mississauga to be with her husband, back when the yard was weeds and dirt, she said. Over the years, she learned how to grow her garden through adverse winter conditions unique to Midland, aided with friendly assistance from neighbours and local garden centres.
“My neighbours across the street were inspired,” said Boucher pointing to one nearby yard, and then two others. “Before there weren’t flowers here; now the whole street took inspiration from me.”
On hand to present a lawn sign signifying Boucher’s work as the 2025 garden of the year was Midland Garden Club board member Jenni McKeown, as well as the 2024 award winner Susan Ash. Boucher also received a one-year membership into the Midland Garden Club, with Ash stating she herself would become a proper member and also apply for a position on the board.
“Susan and I drove around, and we chose this garden after driving past many times,” said McKeown.
“There were probably about six candidates,” said Ash. In choosing what criteria was required, Ash replied: “Colour is good; and not a lot of weeds. This is so nice and clean.”
McKeown added: “It just stood out. There are so many beautiful gardens, and a lot of really big gardens. Sometimes it’s nice to give smaller gardens a chance.”
Boucher shared that due to health issues, it was sometimes difficult to tend to the garden over the past year.
“For me and for my family last year, it was a very hard year. I was very sick, I couldn’t even get out,” she says, noting her two daughters and grandchildren encouraged her with their support.
“‘Baba, you need to be good. Take care of yourself, you will go to work in your garden’, they said. It inspired me, to give me a chance… to look toward the future, to look forward,” said Boucher.
Her husband John also noted the improvement to Irena’s outlook. “It’s amazing. She’s become extremely bubbly, proud, smiley and talkative. It’s augmented since she got the award, and it’s caused a lot of smiles.”
For those wanting to begin their journey into gardening, Boucher advised to start small with flowers in pots, online research, and visitations to garden centres.
“Join the garden club,” said Boucher. “The girls know what they are doing, and they can give you advice.”
Further information on joining the Midland Garden Club can be found on their Facebook page.