Being a practical sort of person I have tried to acquire plants that have more than one virtue. By that I mean if I would like a beautiful flower I try to choose a perfumed variety.
I decided to plant a green hazelnut on the road side of the garden as they grow quickly to provide screening and also produce hazelnuts.
I decided a purple hazelnut would also work well to give some different foliage colour in spring time.
They are not such abundant nut producers but given I had the other trees I felt I would be amply provided for.
This year the crop has not been plentiful and I have worked out why.
But Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft agley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promis’d joy!
With apologies to Rabbie Burns
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_a_Mouse for the full version and translation, if need be.
a french garden 