Exeter to bathe in yellow glow of daffodils

The brainchild of the Exeter Village Association (EVA) more than 1000 daffodil bulbs were planted around Exeter roadsides last year and a further 700 have been planted this year.

EVA committee member said the association had been able to partner up with historian Linda Emery and some generous donors to see the project completed, while also thanking council for its support.

"We organise the heritage walks with Linda Emery and basically that's paid for the Daffodils with some very generous contributions from a couple in Exeter,"

Ms Jonas said the daffodils should bloom in August or possibly a bit earlier and provide some colourful cheer for the village through winter.

"It should cheer up parts of the village, we planted some closer to the cafe so people can see them in full bloom and John who runs the village pump was delighted."

Ms Jonas said a majority of the bulbs were purchased locally through a Canyonleigh grower who exhibits at the Exeter markets, while some Exeter residents have also thrown a weight of support behind the project, donating their own bulbs.

In the late 1890s, well-known nurseryman Arthur Yates had a daffodil farm in Exeter, which became a mainstay of the Sydney floral trade and the project aims to pay tribute to his early growing.

Despite the prominence of cold rainy conditions, the EVA expects the daffodils will be in full bloom.

"Daffodils bloom very happily in England, so I think they can cope with the Highlands," Ms Jonas said with a laugh.

She said the group were grateful for the help they had received from council.

"We couldn't have really done this without the council, once they had completed the Tulip Time plantings in Bowral, very kindly and helpfully planted the bulbs for the village," she said.

"Council were very collaborative and have been good to fit in the plantings."

Ms Jonas said daffodils are self propagating and residents should see a return of blooms to areas that were planted last year, while bulbs this year have been planted opposite the General Store and near the Village Pump Antiques and Quintessential Exeter and on the nature strip on Ringwood Road,