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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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A Good Year For Roses

The front gate with 'Veilchenblau' and 'Dublin Bay' roses


The roses are beautiful this year and they have been long-lasting, thanks to mostly cool temperatures. The odd weather continues - as I write this, it is 61 degrees and pouring down rain. In the middle of June!

More roses in the front garden -

'Sea Foam' with Clematis durandii - 'Lady of Shalott' in the background



'Lady of Shalott' with Baptisia


'Robin Hood'


'The Impressionist'



'Radway Sunrise'



'Dublin Bay' on the front gate with Clematis 'Taiga' and 'Jackmanii Superba'


'Marjorie Fair'


'Coral Cove'

'Robin Hood' with Lithodora

'Westerland'

'Westerland'

'Radway Sunrise'

'The Impressionist'

'Lady Emma Hamilton'

'Alchymist'

'Golden Celebration' and Clematis 'Chevalier'

I have too many roses so I will make this a 2-part post and feature the roses in the back garden in the next post.
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Comments

  1. Kris PetersonJune 19, 2023 at 8:23 PM


    Every single one of those roses is a jewel, Phillip. I've given up on most of my roses - I just don't have enough water to keep them happy. You got an unseasonal downpour and we got 0.02/inch of drizzle but then we don't usually get a drop of rain between April and October so I shouldn't complain, especially as our temperatures are also cooler than normal for this time of year.

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverJune 20, 2023 at 8:25 AM

      Kris, well in reality, just 1/2 inch but still very grateful. This time of year, there usually isn't any at all.

      Delete
  2. Patricia CunninghamJune 20, 2023 at 7:44 AM

    So gorgeous. Now you're making me want to add roses. You sure know how to curate a garden. Aren't we lucky to have you amongst Pacific Northwest gardening nerds. Inspiring, always. Cheers

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverJune 20, 2023 at 8:25 AM

      Thanks Patricia - to answer your question - YES - and to be away from the heat and tornadoes, even better.

      Delete
  3. tz_gardenJune 20, 2023 at 8:23 AM

    WOW! So many gorgeous roses, they are loving your up & down weather. 'Lady Emma Hamilton' is so lovely, is it scented?

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverJune 20, 2023 at 8:28 AM

      Yes it is - as a matter of fact, it is our favorite scented David Austin rose.

      Delete
  4. HummingbirdJune 20, 2023 at 10:38 AM

    Oh, Phillip, they are all so beautiful, and we have truly had crazy weather this year. Debbie Crockett

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