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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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Beauty in the details


Raindrops on Japanese maple

It is 70 degrees today, cloudy with the threat of rain. Stormy weather is predicted for Saturday and of course has people on edge. The tornadoes that came through a few years ago is still fresh in the memory.


There is beauty in the garden this time of year, you just have to look for it. Often, it is lurking in the small details.

The vibrant winter foliage of Viburnum "Mohawk" with Holly "O'Spring" in the background -

Camellia "Chansonette" -

Miscanthus

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Lisa at GreenbowDecember 21, 2013 at 4:44 AM

    The heavy snow smashed any grasses in the garden and all else looks weather worn here. Your camillia is gorgeous. What a nice bright spot in the garden. I hope nothing more than rain comes your way. The same storm is inundating us with rain.

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  2. AlisonDecember 21, 2013 at 7:44 AM

    The raindrops on the maple are so pretty. It is hard to find the beauty in the winter garden.

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  3. Edith KentDecember 21, 2013 at 8:12 AM

    It's all beautiful!!! Love gardens in the winter...that's when we see the bones

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  4. chavlinessDecember 21, 2013 at 1:18 PM

    The Winter garden has it's own rewards. The gardener as well as the plants need to rest and plan for Spring. In the PNW we call 70° summer! Wouldn't trade places with you though for fear of the tornadoes: stay safe.

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  5. LarryDecember 21, 2013 at 4:50 PM

    Your photos are spectacular.. We are expecting a blizzard tonight and unfortunately, we are committed to being out and about in it tomorrow... Could be interesting!
    Merry Christmas...Larry

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  6. sweetbayDecember 21, 2013 at 5:42 PM

    Love the color on the viburnum, it's beautiful.

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  7. Anne BoykinDecember 22, 2013 at 4:10 AM

    Hi Phillip, Stay warm and safe. Happy Holidays!

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  8. organicgardendreamsDecember 22, 2013 at 12:00 PM

    Hi Phillip, I agree with you . On the first glance there is not much going on in my garden at this time of the year, but if I really look closely I always find something that is delightful, fascinating, and utterly beautiful. Hopefully the storm isn't too bad! Wishing you and your partner a Merry Christmas!
    Christina

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  9. Jõulublogi December 27, 2013 at 3:32 AM

    Fantastika

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  10. RobinLDecember 28, 2013 at 6:24 PM

    It's nice to know that you still have little pretty spots around in your winter garden, because they can be so hard to find!

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  11. Dee NashDecember 29, 2013 at 6:57 AM

    True that! Here, it is mostly brown, but we also had ice, and that made for some pretty pictures. Thanks for sharing Phillip. Hope you guys had a Merry Christmas.~~Dee

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