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The Gardens of Mien Ruys - a book review

I don't know how I missed her, but I was totally unfamiliar with Mien Ruys. A beautiful new book The Gardens of Mien Ruys details her life and work. Born in the Netherlands in 1904, she was the daughter of Bonne Ruys, who founded Moerheim Nursery in 1888. She grew up in a liberal atmosphere and encouraged to learn and study. She found great comfort in the natural world around her and learned all the plants in her father's nursery at a young age. After leaving school at the age of 19, she knew that she wanted to work in the garden center. The Moerheim Nursery, in addition to selling plants, had an on-site design studio where they published a detailed catalog and sold landscape design plans to customers. It was in the design studio where Ruys first began to work and she was soon encouraged to venture beyond her country and study abroad. Her father's connections helped her secure a traineeship with Wallace & Sons Nursery in Tunbridge Wells in England. There, she met Gertr...
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A beauty of a bush

Aptly named - Beauty Bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis) - I've always been puzzled as to why I never see it in nurseries or other gardens. This was one of the first shrubs planted in the garden so it has to be around 15 years old. 

The heat is ruining the blooms. The bottom photo is from last year when it was prettier.

 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. aquablueroseApril 2, 2012 at 9:39 PM

    Hi Phillip,

    It is vey beautiful! I heard about the heat you are experiencing. I am so sorry! I am praying all will be well with your beautiful garden soon.

    gerri XXXX

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  2. LesApril 3, 2012 at 4:20 AM

    I tried to offer this years ago, but it was a very hard sell. In bloom I could, but during the other 50 weeks of the year, no way.

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  3. Becca's DirtApril 3, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    It sure does brighten the area. Have a nice day.

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  4. Dee/reddirtramblingsApril 3, 2012 at 11:38 AM

    It is very pretty. I've never seen it for sale or grown here for that matter. Love yours and its blowsy way of showing itself.~~Dee

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  5. scottweberpdxApril 3, 2012 at 4:58 PM

    Even if it's an off year, it's a beauty, to be sure!

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  6. Gardener on Sherlock StreetApril 3, 2012 at 5:25 PM

    Love how it pops out of the hedge.

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  7. Casa MariposaApril 4, 2012 at 3:07 PM

    I saw beauty bush more when I lived in the south but rarely up here in northern VA. I love big, rambley blooming bushes. :o) Yours is gorgeous!

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  8. Lisa at GreenbowApril 5, 2012 at 3:18 AM

    This is indeed a beauty. From a distance it reminds me of my Wedding bouquet Spirea. The heat has left here for the time being. Hopefully things will slow down so we can enjoy the rest of the early bloomers.

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