"Firstly, do not buy your trees too big. [...]
Secondly, do not plant your trees too close together. [...]
Thirdly, distrust catalogues. [...]
Finally - and this is extremely important, though it may sound frivolous, you should have a couple of cocktails before making your tour of the nursery garden, because a slight drunkenness clears the eye and frees the spirit. [...] If you have one or two excellent dry martinis, well iced, your visit will be far more satisfactory, not only to yourself but to the proprietor of the nursery. [...]"
From Down the Garden Path by Beverley Nichols.
What an irresistible extract...I must look out a copy of this book.
Posted by: Val | 23 April 2017 at 05:02 AM
After several 'excellent dry martinis' I might be inclined to purchase the whole nursery stock, despite the very compact nature of my own 'estates'.
Posted by: Spade & Dagger | 23 April 2017 at 11:56 AM
I have made the second mistake sober but I would certainly make the first and the third as well if tanked up with martinis.
Posted by: Lucille | 24 April 2017 at 08:22 AM
Interesting - I should like to try a garden centre after a couple of Margaritas I think. Not that I would buy any trees...
Posted by: Toffeeapple | 24 April 2017 at 05:24 PM
One of my favourite garden writers! Such wry humour!
Posted by: Teresa | 25 April 2017 at 07:41 AM