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...
Marvelous, Phillip!
ReplyDeleteI like the simple roses best.
Have you seen any bees on your roses this year? I know that roses aren't the best bee attractors, but the Rosa rugosa at my parents' house always used to attract loads of bees when I was growing up.
I haven't seen too many here this year - not even on the redbud when it was in bloom or on the sage now that it's blooming. Just a bit concerned about bee populations and wondering if you'd seen many/any down in Alabama?
Phillip - these are beautiful photos as was your garden today. Thanks so much for letting Limestone Co MG take another look. Everyone that had not been before was amazed and those of us who had been there were also amazed! Your roses are gorgeous and smell so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteEdith it was a pleasure! Thank you so much. I am looking forward to seeing your garden.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. 'Windchimes' is my favourite - great name too.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sitting here swooning over your gorgeous roses! The harsh winter knocked mine for a loop, and I'll be lucky to see any blooms this year. I've already replaced five of them, and the verdict is still out on one more. It's been heartbreaking!
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