Cuttings: Rewarding postings

IT IS NOT all bad news on the mail-order front, as several readers have pointed out. Lady Lea of Bury St Edmunds has found that, apart from one hiccup, all her orders 'have been packed excellently, arrived in good health and are flourishing in their new homes'. She especially commends Reads Nurseries, of Hales Hall, Loddon, Norfolk NR14 6QW (0508 46395), which specialises in conservatory plants and unusual fruit.

Helen Thomas of Shrewsbury has never been let down by Poyntzfield Herb Nursery, nr Balblair, Black Isle, by Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty IV7 8LX (0381 8352, 12-1pm or 6-7pm). 'Plants are each wrapped in black polythene to cover the root-balls. They also use straw and newspaper. Quality is impressive.'

She reports no disasters, either, with old shrub roses from John Scarman at Cottage Garden Roses, Woodland House, Stretton, nr Stafford ST19 9LG (0785 840217). 'Plants are tied together and put in a double- walled paper sack. They are dispatched between November and March.'