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...
Your photos do take me down the path and a beautiful one too.
ReplyDeleteMy sweet autumn clematis is starting to bloom as well. It's a welcome site as the rest of the garden starts to fade.
ReplyDeleteI did get a Buff Beauty this spring! It's small (maybe 16") and hasn't bloomed yet, but it is putting out new growth, and I'm hopeful for next year. It is having some problems with blackspot, and a good section doesn't look like it will put out new growth. I have two questions for you:
1) Do you have any tips for blackspot other than spraying and picking up infected leaves?
2) Where will next year's new growth originate from? I've only grown ramblers, and they just shoot up new canes near the base.
Thanks!
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful garden! My hydrangea had recovered so well. .until a herd of those sweet little deer made a visit! They "only" took the leaves so that shouldn't hinder them from blooming next year....right? Unless the cold weather gets the buds again!
ReplyDeleteEmily, I don't have many solutions for blackspot. Baking soda is one option that I have heard works well. The new growth comes from both the base and some side shoots. It tends to send out (and up) very long canes.
ReplyDeleteEdith, so sorry to hear you have deer problems!
Your garden looks so inviting , I want to see what is down that path ...
ReplyDeleteAll is looking very fine for so late in the season, I think summer has deserted us here in the UK as it is very chilly and autumnal ... in AUGUST !!
My hydrangeas have been slow to bloom this year too, and I'm sure it was because of the bad winter. But I think they'll catch up, because they are starting to catch up finally. I've fallen in love with Limelight hydrangea this summer, and I've just got to get one. Now where will I put it?
ReplyDeleteOur neighbor's beautiful sweet autumn clematis just began blooming as well; surprised that it is as early as yours considering we are so much further north.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice Phillip! I'll look into the baking soda :)
ReplyDeleteI hope the weather has continued to be good to you! Our garden is shriveling under the past week's high temperatures and lack of rain. Not a drought yet; we are suppose to get rain tomorrow. Your garden looks lush and very beautiful in these photos. I love the early morning shot!
ReplyDeleteI am NOT an early morning person, but that early morning sunrise over the path would entice me to set my alarm. Your garden is gorgeous, as always.
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