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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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The Late Rhododendrons



'Percy Wiseman'
'Percy Wiseman'

I am behind on my blog posts. So much work to do in the garden this time of year and so much to see.

The rhododendrons are fading but they have all performed nicely this year. Here are some of the late blooming ones from the past weeks -

First up is one of my favorites - Percy Wiseman. This is a color changing rhododendron that
"emerge in shades of peach, pink and cream before fading to creamy white" (the nursery description). I think it is just stunning.


A very popular red variety is 'Jean Marie de Montague' -

'Jean Marie de Montague'

Don't ask me how to pronounce 'Oudijk's Sensation'. I purchased this one last year based on the foliage alone. It has very pretty rounded leaves. The flowers have now faded and I've noticed that the new growth has a reddish tint.

'Oudijk's Sensation'

The rhododendron below came with the house and I don't know the name. It is on the west side of our house where there are no windows. Therefore, our neighbors get to enjoy it more than we do.

Unknown


This one is also an unknown. Don't judge me but it came from Wal-Mart during a weak moment. It was stunning. I failed to record the name but I would swear the name was 'Holden'. However, a Google search shows 'Holden' as being pink (of course, it could have been mislabeled). I love this shade of purple. No name though, which kills me.

Unknown


'Anna Rose Whitney' has been a very shy bloomer. There were only 3 or 4 blooms this year but they were spectacular. The blooms are very large. I'm thinking that the shrub may need more sun.

'Anna Rose Whitney'


'Anah Kruschke' was the first rhododendron I planted. I wanted more of a purple color and this one is more magenta. It was wonderful this year, the best it has bloomed so far.

'Anah Kruschke'

'Anah Kruschke' with Japanese Maple 'Shaina'


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. chavlinessMay 27, 2020 at 8:55 AM

    I can see why you love Percy Wiseman so much: it has gorgeous blooms.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lisa at GreenbowMay 28, 2020 at 6:37 PM

    Your rhodies are magnificent. All that saturated color is wow.
    What has happened to that wall project?? Did you finish it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverMay 28, 2020 at 7:00 PM

      Yes, it is finished and I keep putting off doing a post. It was so exhausting, I'm just glad it is over. I hope to get an update posted in a few days. :)

      Delete
  3. Endah MurniyatiMay 29, 2020 at 12:30 AM

    They are so beautiful, especially the pinky peach color at the first picture

    ReplyDelete

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