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...
What lovely foliage. A bright spot indeed.
ReplyDeleteI love my plume poppy, but do not trust it.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool foliage! Drab is a good way to describe my garden right now, but I don't see how that term could ever apply to yours!
ReplyDeletePhillip the plume poppy always does well for you. Nice colour to the foliage.
ReplyDeletePhilip, do you have this in shade? I love the blue color.
ReplyDeleteReally neat foliage, love how it spills into the yard.
ReplyDeleteLes, it does get out of hand sometimes but it is easy to pull up.
ReplyDeleteC.C., it is in partial shade (just a few hours sun).
What a pretty plant. Like lace in the garden.
ReplyDeleteMany MANY years ago, I received a plume poppy in a trade with someone in the east. This was done through GardenWeb.com. She warned me it could be invasive, and she begged me not to curse her because of this. Eventually I did poison it because it was taking over the bed where it was growing. That was long ago and it has popped up again after being gone for so long. I really love the plant because of the bicolor foliage, so I might have to start it in an area of the yard where it won't matter.
ReplyDeleteFor anyone interested, you can still swap plants through GardenWEb, either by mail or at one of many plant swaps throughout each state.
I was given an autumn clematis by a friend. Later I read in Southern Living that if you wanted to get even with someone,give them this plant. If you want to keep them as a friend, don't give it to them. I went back to work the next day and told her what I read. we're still friends.
ReplyDeleteDo the deer like it? I love the foliage.
ReplyDelete