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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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Waiting patiently for spring



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 4, 2011 at 4:25 AM

    Get that lady a shawl, preferably not made of snow.

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  2. LesFebruary 4, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    Oh Lord, her arms done froze off.

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  3. Jill of All TradesFebruary 4, 2011 at 4:53 AM

    Bit nippy out isn't it. Bring on spring.

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  4. EveFebruary 4, 2011 at 5:01 AM

    Sorry Phillip...I'm getting a little impatient!!!
    And I'm going to agree with Lisa! And wouldnt a shawl on her make for a great photo in the snow!!

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  5. KellyFebruary 4, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    Here's another one...
    That is a horrible case of frostbite!

    I can hardly wait til Spring. I hear there is more snow on the way. BooHoo!

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  6. scottweberpdxFebruary 4, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    Lovely photo...and yes...we're almost there...spring is just around the corner...right?!?

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  7. GailFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    me, too, Phillip! ps there's an SOS in word verification!

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  8. DarlaFebruary 4, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    I'd say she looks a little chilly.

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  9. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    It was nice getting out last Saturday with my tractor hauling mulch to my daylilies and cleaning up fallen limbs. 72 degrees really felt warm, even the dogs were panting from the heat. My daffodils are coming up. Mom next door has one with a bloom on it. Getting close. Mary

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  10. serial tillerFebruary 5, 2011 at 4:12 AM

    Neat photo captions. Here's mine. Hmm, maybe it's too early to go skinny dipping! LOL Spring is coming though if we can tough it out in Feb. It's already the 5th.

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