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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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More Lily Love

More lilies blooming this week -

"Pizzazz"

"Scheherazade"


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Lisa at GreenbowJune 26, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    Mmmmm I can almost smell them. Love those hot colors.

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  2. debsgardenJune 26, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    Both are beautify. Perfect colors for our hot summer weather!

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  3. sherryocalaJune 26, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    Phillip, that's your reward for having to shovel snow. Would I rather not shovel snow or have lilies? A little snow wouldn't be bad. They're so gorgeous.

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  4. LarryJune 26, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    Two of my favorites and a week or two from bloom here... love the orienpets but many are chlorotic this season from all the rain and cool temps we've had... great pics! Larry

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  5. Rosedale GardenJune 26, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    Musadet, a nice white with tiny red spots around the center is also a must have. It is the most fragrant one in the garden. My Golden Stardust
    was just starting to open and the storm today broke it off. I staked it, so hopefully the remaining blooms will open. Mary

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  6. Rainy Day GardenerJune 26, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    Gorgeous!!

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  7. Phillip OliverJune 27, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Mary, I had Muscadet in a container for many years but this year it did not reappear. It was always loaded with blooms so it is one that I want again.

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  8. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)June 28, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    I particularly like "Scheherazade", however I know people who'd have trouble pronouncing that after a Saturday night party, ha.

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  9. Phillip OliverJune 28, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    Rob, I have to stop and think before I pronounce the name, drinking or not. :)

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  10. aquablueroseJune 28, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Oh what Equisite lillies and photographs, Phillip!!

    gerri XXX

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  11. MashaJune 28, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    Superb photography! I miss asiatic lilies (is that what yours are?), I should try them again...

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  12. sweetbayJune 28, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    Love those vivid colors!!

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