Southland grower produces top daffodil

This year's winning bloom at the Dunedin Horticultural Society spring show, top in its category and best in show, was a traditional-looking yellow ''Renovator'' belonging to Bill Cowie, from Boggy Burn, near Winton.

Mr Cowie, pictured with his wife Betty, said he was ''pretty chuffed'' to win the overall award and to win his category. More than 750 fresh spring daffodils of all shapes and sizes were on display at the Dunedin Horticultural Society's flower show at the weekend.

Daffodils from 15 different growers were included in the show, including some bred so recently they did not have a name. The show also featured floral displays and colourful collections of other types of flowers.