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...
A gorgeous color and form for the garden.
ReplyDeleteI bought one of these in May, and have yet to figure out where to put it, but I had to have it.
ReplyDeleteGreat plant, Phillip. I spent ten minutes trying to figure out why the genus Aralia sounds so familiar to me, but I can't. Do you know if it's hardy to Zone 5?
ReplyDeleteSome sources say zone 3, most say zone 4. So it should work for you!
DeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to grow native Aralia racemosa this year for the 1st time.
So far, it's been a steady if not spectacular performer, but I have a feeling it's just settling in for the long haul...
(At least, I hope so!) :)
I just planted some a few weeks ago and they still have a way to go before reaching that size, thanks for the timely inspiration!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I really love these. Ya gotta love a bright plant for shade. :o)
ReplyDeleteThat really lights up a shady spot! Wonderful. The three leaf textures in the foreground, so simple and elegant. It is interesting that while that lovely plant is not appropriate to my climate, we have a golden Duranta that provides the same effect.
ReplyDeletePhillip, this is beautiful a beautiful aralia. I love the color! I must do some research to see what growing conditions it likes, but I suspect if it will grow for you, it will grow for me too!
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