The Garden 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...
Very nice! I love lilac but did not realize they can do well this far south. But then, you are a little north of me. How long has that lilac been in your garden? It is a beauty! Also love the kerria!
ReplyDeleteThis the first one that has survived for more than a season for me. A nursery owner in the area said that it was a new one better suited for the South.
DeleteBeautiful! Gives me hope that we will get there, too, in a couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteI think the Mohawk viburnum photos are my faves from this batch.
ReplyDeleteDo the Mohawk flowers attract any pollinators? And does it produce any berries for birds?
Such excitement. Our magnolia is just beginning to bloom. Love this time of year.
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