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...
Love your photos, Phillip. That tree with the red and white blooms is gorgeous. Wonder what it is?
ReplyDeleteOOooooo that last maple is delicious. Is the first unknown tree a catalpa?? The heart shaped leaves remind me of one. The plant with the red and white blooms is striking. I can see why you want one. I have had one of those flowering maples for three years. I have to bring it inside during winter. It winters over well but it isn't near this big. Can't wait to see more about your trip
ReplyDeleteLynn, I'm trying to find the name of it. I'll let you know.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I think you are right. I located a golden catalpa on their website and the map indicates it is in the area I remember. Thanks!
Beautiful photos, and that butterfly garden is lovely! It's giving me some landscaping ideas. The large flowering shrub you're trying to identify looks like a pineapple guava. They finished up blooming here a month ago and are back to looking like regular shrubs; but they're stunning when in bloom.
ReplyDeleteAmy, thank you so much! You are right. I located it on their website.
ReplyDeleteI love the flowering maple. I have a bears breeches and didn't realize how large it will get. Mine's about 3 yrs old and still little. The crepe myrtles in Charleston along some of the main streets are just huge. They must several hundred years old. Thanks for the pictures. Been a nice trip.
ReplyDeleteThe Raulston is worth travelling to NC all my itself. You took beautiful photos. And Plant Delights, too. sigh. Great post.
ReplyDeleteGood to know about your blog i have visit and i am very much impressed from your ideas..
ReplyDeleteThank you for post..
Glad you stopped by the Arboretum on your way to Asheville. I haven't been myself yet, sorry to say but plan to soon. Fantastic photos as usual, Phillip.
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful! I love the catalpa tree and the smoke bush....More tress to try to squeeze in my not sunny enough garden! gail
ReplyDeleteI have only been once, but it was like visiting one of the stars of southern horticulture. When I think of crape myrtle bark, the specimens at JC Raulston come to my mind.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful photos! I have a pineapple guava but not nearly as many blooms! That one looks beautiful, I must not be fertilizing enough. Jeannine
ReplyDeleteGee, I wonder if my Crepe Myrtles will ever have a trunk such as the one you show? Beautiful Gardens which we should drop by and see some time on our way to VA....
ReplyDeletePhillip, I love seeing it through your eyes in another season. I saw it in the fall as you know.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Phillip. I wish I knew you BEFORE your visit to the JCRA! Thanks for showcasing the JC Raulston arboretum, and I hope you are following us on facebook!https://www.facebook.com/jcraulstonarboretum?ref=hl
ReplyDeleteHelen