On March 28, we will open the exhibition Mien Ruys and the Modern Garden. This exhibition showcases the work of Mien Ruys, a renowned Dutch landscape architect who designed more than 3000 gardens between the 1930s and 1990s. Preparations for the exhibition are in full swing. However, during our archival research, we stumbled upon a particularly special garden—one designed specifically for the readers of the weekly magazine Margriet. After all, who doesn’t dream of a beautiful garden, seamlessly connected to the house, offering something for everyone? This garden was designed by Buro Mien Ruys for a three-part article series in the summer of 1963.

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"Transform your garden into a little paradise with Margriet." That is how each of the three articles in Margriet begins. Buro Mien Ruys created designs for both a front and back garden, illustrated in cheerful, colourful plans. At first glance, the design does not immediately resemble a typical Mien Ruys plan. But upon closer inspection, her signature elements—grid-like paving tiles and clean, straight lines—become clearly visible.

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"Who among you, even if you only have a tiny plot of land, doesn’t dream of a garden that offers each family member their own special corner? A garden where you can enjoy the vibrant splendour of flowers and plants, bask in the sun, host visitors, and let the children play?"

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Mien Ruys' ideas are also reflected in the text of the articles, from the use of green manure between the paving stones to the emphasis on perennial plants. The articles go into great detail about creating a new garden—from digging and fertilising to planting borders and ongoing maintenance. The gardens feature a mix of paved areas, lawns, and perennial borders, showcasing Mien Ruys’ hallmark approach of striking a balance between simplicity and harmony. She was particularly known for her perennial borders, which she started selling as ready-made prefabricated borders in the 1960s through stores like Metz & Co and V&D.

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It is clear that Mien Ruys aimed to appeal to DIY gardeners, though she was not always enthusiastic about their results. She once said, "Oh, how I detest the amateur gardener’s tinkering. That fiddling about with plants." This is why, through her own articles for newspapers and magazines, she sought to educate people—about plant species, soil types, the changing seasons, garden layout, and maintenance.

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In doing so, Mien Ruys inspired many people in the Netherlands to take up gardening, always emphasising the beauty of plants and gardens. She believed that everyone should have access to a piece of nature, even in the city. While anyone can garden, she argued, designing a garden is a true craft. With her design for Margriet, she demonstrated that everyone could create their own dream garden—even in the smallest of spaces. In this way, Mien Ruys was a pioneer in democratising gardens for society as a whole.

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