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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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Autumn Vibes

Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' (Snakeroot) with Hydrangea 'Snow Queen'

I love autumn - the crisp, cooler temperatures, the rain, and most of all, the fall colors. The year looks to be a nice one. I got back from a trip to Alabama last week and found that the colors were in full swing (unlike Alabama, where the temperatures were lovely with the exception of some mugginess but alas, no color at all). 

Japanese Maples are the first thing I think of when autumn comes to mind. This one is 'Bihou' and one of the first to change color. 

Acer palmatum 'Bihou'

Other trees are beginning to change as well, including the Redbud 'Flame Thrower'. 

'Flame Thrower' Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

The star of the show now, however, is the Stewartia. It is just amazing and I remember it was beautiful last year as well. It's chief rivals, the Ginkgo and Black Tupelo, are only showing hints at the moment.

Stewartia pseudocamellia

The shady path -



The most dramatic shrub this year would have to be the Pink Snowberry. That is what I call it because I can never remember the actual name, which is Symphoricarpos x doorenbosii 'Kolmcan' 'Candy' (Coralberry).

Symphoricarpos x doorenbosii 'Kolmcan' 'Candy' 


Tree Peony 'Boreas' -

Peony 'Boreas'


Fuchsia 'Voodoo' -

Fuchsia 'Voodoo'

Sumac 'Tiger Eyes' - the ones in the pots are vibrant orange. The large one (and parent to the ones in the pots) is not colorful yet.

Sumac 'Tiger Eyes' (Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger')

Amsonia, always a treat -

Amsonia hubrichtitii

The Caryopteris was stingy with blooms this year but I do love it.


I have a difficult time growing altroemeria with the exception of this one - 'Sweet Laura'. It thrives with little care.

Alstroemeria  'Sweet Laura'

One of our few dahlias but a showstopper. Unfortunately, I don't know the name.



Nicotiana 'Fragrant Cloud'




And last, but not least, are the ornamental grasses. The most colorful in our garden is Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Miss'.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Miss'



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. tz_gardenOctober 19, 2025 at 12:16 PM

    Every single time I see photos of your garden, I'm gobsmacked at your design. Every combination, draping, color is so appealing. The Stewartia gives me hunger pangs, the color! I've never seen 'Kolmcan Candy' before, it's aptly named. The soft Amsonia, it's ALL beautiful. I always love the firecracker-y Dahlias. You do have colors galore.

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  2. Kris PetersonOctober 19, 2025 at 3:25 PM

    I love the early fall color in your garden. We've little of that yet. My 'Sango Kaku' Japanese maple shows no real sign of transitioning yet but then our temperature hit 85F yesterday.

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  3. Ardith FergusonOctober 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM

    All of your plants look stunning and I especially love the Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Miss'. Your dahlia looks like a Chihuly sculpture.

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  4. AnonymousOctober 22, 2025 at 7:06 PM

    You are forgiven for not easily spitting out "Symphoricarpos x doorenbosii 'Kolmcan' 'Candy'"... it's seriously horrendous!
    My garden is too mature to add trees: Stewartia pseudocamellia is one of those that got away. Dogwood 'wolf eye' is another.
    Chavli

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  5. JerryOctober 25, 2025 at 6:42 PM

    I love autumn too. Refreshing after a hot, dry summer. My favorite colors right now are Acer circinatum and Spiraea lucida. The bigleaf maples are a treat too. Oh, and Paeonia obovata - sublime. Happy Autumn!

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