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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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Chinese Snowball

Chinese Snowball (Viburnum macrocephalum)





Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. C. C.March 22, 2012 at 11:07 AM

    Oh my goodness, that is stunning. I planted one 2 years ago. Last year it didn't bloom at all. This year it's about 4'-5' tall and has dozens of blooms, but they're still lime green. Can't wait until it's as huge and beautiful as yours! Did you prune it to shape it like that?

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowMarch 22, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    Snowballs in March. WOW. Beautiful.

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  3. Phillip OliverMarch 22, 2012 at 12:32 PM

    C.C., it hasn't been pruned except for some of the older limbs. Actually, it probably needs it. I'm thinking about doing some pruning on it this year after the blooms fade. It grows fast once it gets going.

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  4. meemsnycMarch 22, 2012 at 8:27 PM

    Wow! Your yard is stunning!

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  5. FairegardenMarch 23, 2012 at 4:54 AM

    It looks good enough to eat, Phillip! How wonderful!

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  6. The Brown Recluse (TBR)March 23, 2012 at 6:14 AM

    Love, love, LOVE your flowers! Your blog header is gorgeous, too...I assume that's your own doings, too? Just beautiful!
    ~Margaret

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  7. MashaMarch 23, 2012 at 6:16 PM

    Wonderful! I grow common snowball, viburnum opulus Roseum, which I hope wont get so big :). Your is simply amazing.

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  8. ChristineMarch 24, 2012 at 9:24 AM

    Gorgeous! Do they have any scent?

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  9. Phillip OliverMarch 27, 2012 at 8:54 PM

    Hi Christine, unfortunately they do not!

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  10. chuck b.March 31, 2012 at 7:52 PM

    I need statues!

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