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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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In Between Rains & Spreading Manure

'Chief Joseph' Pine (Pinus contorta)

It has been so wet and cold that I have done very little in the garden. I need to get on the ball and yesterday and today provided a much-needed break from the rain. The sun even came out today. I got a load of horse manure from Southridge Farms, a place that my boss had recommended. It is just a short drive from my house and the manure is beautiful -



I spent the day emptying my truck, one bucket-full at a time, and placing it in strategic places. Around the roses for sure. Notice the dead canes coming from the bottom. These need to be cut out completely. Another chore for another day.



'Chief Joseph' Pine (at the top of the page), so beautiful right now. As is Arctostaphylos 'Sunset' -



And Eastern Hemlock 'Golden Duchess' (Tsuga cadensis 'MonKinn') -



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Kris PetersonJanuary 11, 2023 at 8:35 PM

    I'm glad you got a break from the rain - and some sun! We're supposed to get a 3-day break (counting today) but I've put off having a truckload of compost delivered until this series of storms is over as it takes days for me to distribute it (on top of the usual lag in getting a delivery date).

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 13, 2023 at 5:36 AM

    I envy you that load of manure. I really like the yellow/green foliage with the dark blue sky in the background. Happy day in winter when it iswarm and dry enough to get a few chores done. The list will get longer no doubt.

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  3. Hoover BooJanuary 15, 2023 at 6:09 AM

    That is indeed beautiful Amendment, and a beautiful Arctostaphylos.

    For gardeners, trucks do come in handy!

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  4. Anna KJanuary 15, 2023 at 3:06 PM

    Good for you for getting out there - even a little bit. I had a new project to measure, but called it off to a more suitable weekend, weather wise. Spent the weekend playing in the kitchen instead. Not sure what kind of baking demon has gotten hold of me... LOL!

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