Geriatric journalist favours daffodils

Elizabeth Madle has a bone to pick with the Hutt City Council over its roundabouts.

The 77 year old has a dodgy back which limits hers movement but she still enjoys getting out and taking pictures.

For the last 25 years Madle, who describes herself as a ‘‘geriatric reporter’’, has supplied the Hutt News with pictures and recently it was roundabouts that caught her eye.

‘‘I saw the amazing daffodils flowering on the Stokes Valley roundabout.’’

She attributed the roundabout daffodils to former council horticultural manager Judy Robb.

Madle said the council deserved ‘‘10 out of 10 ‘‘ for the bulbs but was less generous about roundabouts in the central city featuring concrete and boulders, or native plants.

‘‘The Dudley St roundabout with boulders and insufficient native ground cover is very boring. I would give that two out of 10.’’

Daffodils did not require a lot of attention and were cheap to plant but made the entire city look much brighter, she said.

‘‘After the initial planting and a bit of blood and bone thrown at them each year, they thrive … a sight never to be forgotten is Kings College, Cambridge, when the golden bulbs are out.’’

Parks manager Bruce Hodgins agreed that daffodils looked nice but said the bulbs only flower for a few weeks. In contrast, natives provided all-year coverage and were easy to maintain.