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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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Getting tomatoes planted and buying new plants

A productive weekend. Our tomatoes and peppers are planted and I got about half of the containers planted. I found this plant at Lowe's. It is Jacob's Ladder "Touch of Class" (Polemonium reptans). I also bought Wallflower "Bowles Mauve" (Erysinum linifolium) for $1 on the sale rack at Home Depot. I have never grown wallflowers but I remember Elizabeth Lawrence praising them in one of her books.


Jacob's Ladder "Touch of Class" (Polemonium reptans)



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Rosedale GardenApril 15, 2012 at 6:48 PM

    I replanted my corn this weekend, cantalopes, cucs and watermelon. I have 3 tomatoes ready for the garden that I've been growing since Nov, but they didn't make it there. I have several small heirloom ones in the greenhouse. Finally started cleaning my flower beds last week. May have to hire some one to help before my open garden May 26. Tomorrow is another day. Mary

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowApril 16, 2012 at 8:06 AM

    I have tried that Jacobs ladder with no luck. I will be curious to see if yours does well. Maybe it needs your weather for it to thrive. Don't you just love those sale aisles?? You never know what you will find.

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  3. AudreyApril 16, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    I love your Jacob's ladder. I looked it up online to learn about it, as I have never grown one. It prefers "high quality natural habitats", I can't think of a better garden or gardener for it than you. Hope you enjoy it for years to come. Your blog is a joy to read and very interesting.

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  4. David - Pinewood CottageApril 16, 2012 at 6:15 PM

    We had frost a couple of nights this week - so we had to hold off planting tender things just yet. Never before tax day is the saying around here.

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  5. Gardener on Sherlock StreetApril 16, 2012 at 6:58 PM

    You've been very productive. Hope it all grows well.

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  6. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)April 19, 2012 at 10:33 AM

    My sister grows the perennial walflower 'Bowles mauve' and it's nigh on perfect. Flowers for ages and is easy to take cuttings from.

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