From 1923 until 1980, Mien Ruys created over 3,000 gardens and landscapes. While most of these are in her native Netherlands, the influence of her designs and approaches spread far wider: many of us will have a little bit of Mien in our gardens, be it a railway sleeper, a diagonal line, a Phlomis russeliana or a water ball. This book includes a foreword which sets Mien's work within the wider context, as well as interviews with gardening experts and landscape architects who knew Mien or were deeply influenced by her work, which offer rich insight into Mien's character and the timeless lessons which can still be learned from her work Foreword by Noel Kingsbury. 1 - Mien's formative years and influences. Perspective: Theo Ruijs. 2 - Initial experiments in garden design. Perspective: Anet Scholma. 3 - Geometry. Perspective: Carolien Barkman. 4 - The oblique line. Perspective: Edwin van Onna. 5 - Collaborations with architects. Perspective: Freerk Halbesma. 6 - Innovative materials. Perspective: Jacqueline van der Kloet. 7 - Use of plants. Perspective: Conny den Hollander. 8 - Legacy. Appendix I - List of Key Organizations and Individuals. Further Reading. Acknowledgments.