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GardensOfThreePines Ruth Zardos Garden Vertical

As any fan would agree, there would be no Three Pines without the village’s most “drunken, embittered” old poet – Ruth Zardo – and her pet duck, Rosa. In the novels, Ruth’s garden is quite a bit like her character: wild, prickly, a bit neglected, and deceptively beautiful.

“Standing like a ramrod beside them and staring unblinking at the bistro was Ruth Zardo. And her duck, looking quite imperious. Ruth wore a sou’wester that glistened in the rain. Clara spoke to her, but was ignored. Ruth Zardo, Gamache knew, was a drunken, embittered old piece of work. Who also happened to be his favorite poet in the world.” – The Brutal Telling

“‘Blows over from your garden,’ Ruth complained. ‘It’s a weed, you know. Invasive, rude, demanding. Soaks up all the nutrients.’
He looked down at the old poet. ‘Yes, we know. But we like it anyway.’” – The Nature of the Beast

Some of the plants that might be found in Ruth (and Rosa’s) garden include:

Hydrangeas: From the Greek word for “water vessel”, Hydrangeas’ colors differ based on the acidity of the soil they’re planted in, which is a perfect metaphor for Ruth’s sharp and biting tongue!

Bindweed: A common name for Convolvulaceae, which is also known as Morning Glories. They can be an incredibly invasive species, especially in the Americas; however, Aztec priests favored them for their hallucinogenic qualities.

What’s your favorite Ruth quote from Louise’s novels?

40 replies on “The Gardens of Three Pines: Ruth Zardo’s Garden”

Ruth is my role model, except that I’m recovering alcoholic (addiction – something in common with Jean Guy), so I have to go with costly, delicious chocolate as what i bedevil my friends for); I’m 75, so I’m getting there, to the despair of friends who don’t know Three Pines…yet.

I met a woman in the ER, while attending to my husbands health. She was reading Still Life. She was reading it, in part because her grandmother had written some of the poetry being attributed to Ruth. I went back and reread the book with new eyes.

It’s not necessarily what Ruth says, it’s her actions. I adore Ruth. She cares so deeply for the people of Three Pines. She stays rough in words but her deeds are full of warmth and love. From giving Jean Guy her car keys to remove him from immediate danger, to watching the children, to her great affection for Gabri. She’s a fantastically complex character.

Yes. I was especially touched when she crawled across the bistro to be at Isabellle side when she was shot in Glass Houses.

Oh I agree so much! And if one is lucky they get to have a Ruth in their life. Gruff on the outside and so kind on the inside.

I think Ruth is a very important part in Three Pines. She come off a little harsh, but I think that is just to protect her real feelings. Kind of a good person to have as a friend.

I’m an authentic ‘Gamache’ descended from my Gamache grandparents, Joseph and Emilie (Thibeault) born, raised and married in Lilette Quebec.
A request: by any chance are there any Gamache coffee mugs still around? I’d love one. Louise Penny is my favorite surgir and Armand my example of a noble man of integrity, skill, heart and warmth.
Gratefully, Sr. Jeanne Marie Gamache, CSJ

I would love to have Ruth for a neighbor, no BS there, she will tell it like it is and I think that’s the way it should be!

Ruth adds such spontaneous wonderful color and contrast in Three Pines. Gardens are also planted to produce color and contrast. 🎃

I think my favorite thing about Ruth is how she saw how broken and damaged Jean Guy was and knew he needed her, even if HE didn’t know it. Even though her interactions with him sounded cruel and unforgiving, they helped him heal.

Every one loves Ruth. She along with Rosa they always put a smile on my face. Ruth understands her neighbors better than anyone

I couldn’t dislike Ruth more if I tried. Horrible woman. A selfish thief with no conscience, no ethics, and a blackened soul. I can’t imagine why not even ONE other character in the books dislikes her.

I feel sorry that you don’t see the true soul of Ruth beneath that crusty exterior. She must have been hurt so very badly in the past.
But, she comforted Jean Guy when he was so broken (and still does). She speaks truth to everyone, there is love hidden in those foul words. She adopted Rosa and her sister, accidentally killing the sister in her attempt to be kind. She’s even the chief of the volunteer fire department, looking out for her friends and neighbours. I can easily picture Ruth running into a burning building to save one of the characters, (especially one at whom she swears and name-calls).
I think she has mellowed over the books, as Louise gets to know her better and doesn’t have to present her as quite such a quirky off-colour character. No more whiskey in flower vases. I think all the characters see through her brittle defences and love her as she should be loved and as she loves them.
Perhaps try to look at her from a different angle, as I and the other commenters do. You’ll probably enjoy the books more. It must be difficult to read them if, whenever Ruth appears on the page, you are seething in dislike. (This is meant in kindness to a fellow reader, not as disapproval. I hope you will take my comments as such.). With love. We’re all FINE.

I think the Nature of the Beast gives us insight into the dark history behind Ruth’s defensive shell. That is where we learn the answer to “Who hurt you, once, so far beyond repair?” Ruth is one of my favorites. I wish I could unleash her on some politicians.

She reminds me of my grandfather. He only insulted the ones he loved. But the love oozed from his pores. Sometimes we have to see people with our hearts instead of our eyes or ears.

I’m quickly evolving into a Ruth in my family! I love Rosa, and I held my breath while waiting for her return to Ruth & Three Pines, I’d love to hear her story of what she did while she was away.

I find that Ruth is the counterweight that I need to hear from. There is always thinking going on – and her honestly, beyond any filter, that prickly bit, makes me smile as see her challenging those around her to look beyond and in between the thorns. And Rosa, for me, is love wrapped up in feathers and a waddle.

Gamache to the waiter in The Black Wolf:
“The duck stays”. I laughed out loud. I know it’s not a garden quote but it’s Rith and Rosa so close enough ❤️

I adore Ruth and her beloved duck, Rosa. Ruth’s persona of being gruff and cranky on the outside, while deep in her soul she shows tenderness and compassion to Rosa, and throughout to her friends and neighbors in Three Pines. Ruth echibits her true self with her poetry and her garden.

She has a caring inner soul which some readers (and neighbors!) do not see. Yes, she can be that seemingly selfish, annoying drunk, but she does show her true self under her gruff, alcohol-filled haze. Jean Guy and Ruth have a deep, special bond which has helped them both.

I believe there is an inner Ruth – the voice that sneers and flips off and grumbles like an ache – and yet there is a tenderness to Ruth – her care for the ducklings and her crusty attachment to each of the folks in Three Pines. I bet I could pull a handful of lines from each of the books in which she plays a part and declare them favorites.

Just to add…one of the best parts of reading these books one after another ( and in my case, several times) is finding the reveals, the truths of the deep past of each character. Ruth’s history brought tears to my eyes…and Peter’s story and family history incredible. “Spot” on!

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