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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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New Fence Completed

 


Wow, that was fast! In just one day and a half, Luis and a helper completed the new fence and gate and I couldn't be happier. It is quite a change from the previous fence -



The next big job will be staining it to match the other wood structures in the garden ('Mahogany Flame' is our go-to color). That will have to wait until things dry out later in the spring.

I haven't looked closely yet at the plants surrounding the fence but I think the workers were pretty careful and everything looks to be intact. The huge Armandii clematis is still there, lying on the ground. I'm going to try and get it back on the fence this weekend if weather permits.

I also love the gate. I showed Luis a photo of ones that I liked and he took it from there. He is very creative and always comes up with good ideas.


From the back (inside the garden), it also looks fantastic -




Now to decide what to grow over the gate. I moved an ornamental kiwi vine and I will probably put it on one side. Of course, I would love to add a rose but the space for it is limited (it would be planted right inside the junipers). Decisions, decisions!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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  1. Kris PetersonJanuary 30, 2021 at 6:44 PM

    It looks fabulous, Phillip!

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  2. Karin / Southern MeadowsJanuary 31, 2021 at 4:33 AM

    It looks amazing! The plants and fence will complement one another so well!

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  3. Barbara H.January 31, 2021 at 9:45 AM

    Tough problems to have! It looks amazing - such an improvement, Phillip.

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  4. Lisa at GreenbowJanuary 31, 2021 at 12:18 PM

    WOW is right. When you decide to do something...Voila. It totally transforms this area. The gate is the bomb. And what fun decisions to have to make now.

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  5. Gardener on Sherlock StreetJanuary 31, 2021 at 2:52 PM

    That will look great for years!

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  6. RobinLJanuary 31, 2021 at 5:03 PM

    Excellent work, and what an improvement over chain link! Can’t wait to see how you “decorate” it with plants.

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  7. Endah MurniyatiFebruary 1, 2021 at 12:45 AM

    Lovely! Wooden materials make everything look so natural.

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  8. chavlinessFebruary 1, 2021 at 9:38 AM

    Were the outside photos taken from the street? From a neighbor's yard? I couldn't quite make it out... Either way, the fence is beautiful. You certainly found a Master carpenter with great talent for woodwork.

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverFebruary 1, 2021 at 9:51 AM

      The first three are taken from the driveway. The fence divides the driveway from our back garden. The last three photos were taken on the garden. I hope that makes sense!

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  9. Hoover BooFebruary 1, 2021 at 4:23 PM

    Yes, wow, what a transformation! Congrats on a really successful improvement you can enjoy for years to come.

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  10. Casa MariposaFebruary 1, 2021 at 4:56 PM

    I love it! It's beautiful and perfect for your garden.

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  11. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2021 at 12:28 PM

    The gate is so in keeping with the style of the fence and still echoes the gates you liked (a real design coup)
    rickii

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