Blue Lotus Water Garden Excursion

Date: Thursday 27 March, 2014

Rhyll’s class set off on an excursion to the Blue Lotus Water Garden at Yarra Junction. We had been told that the lotuses were in full bloom as we arrived. We were not disappointed as there were hundreds of exquisite flowers in various shades of pink and cream, lemon and mauve as well as many lovely water lilies growing in four ponds, interconnected by Oriental bridges. On entering the giant Amazon lily glasshouse, we were amazed to find lily pads as large as one of Kiki’s Spanakopita dishes and it’s even able to provide a lovely waterbed for a little baby.  There was also a very good restaurant, an interesting gift shop and a retail nursery where you can buy a lotus to beautify your garden.

My Chinese students told me that the lotus plant can be used in many ways; the lotus paste is used in traditional moon cakes, the leaves used to wrap sticky rice, the seeds are crushed and mixed with hot water for a health tonic, and the seeds and roots are used in soups and stir fries. A busy gardener told us that there are two types, tropical and temperate climate lotuses. From these photos taken by Virginia Young, you can see the real beauty of these heavenly flowers. If you want a day in paradise, please go and visit the Blue Lotus Water Garden in late March or early April and don’t forget to take your camera.

By Rhyll Rivett