IN Egyptian mythology, the Blue Lotus played a significant role in creation myths.
The flower’s daily cycle of opening with the sun and closing at dusk made it a symbol of the sun’s journey, tying it to the solar deities Ra and Horus. This association with the sun and creation cemented the flower’s spiritual importance. Despite its common name, the blue lotus is not a true lotus like the Nelumbo species.
A recent day tour, organised by club member Alessandra Testa, saw the Combined Probus Club of Whittlesea tour the Blue Lotus Water Garden at Yarra Junction.
There are many ponds, waterfalls, and fountains surpassed by two large lakes that are the drawcards.
Cochrane Lake, named after visionary Geoff, who followed his dream and set up the Lotus Farm, is the largest lake in the garden holding over 11 million litres of water. It stretches 250m long and contains over 70 varieties of water lily flowers, creating a carpet of colour across the lake’s surface. The lake also features a 225m walk through its middle, with 11 bridges, including the famous Red Arched Bridge.
A feature of the display is the prized collection of Claude Monet’s original water lilies that he planted in his garden at Giverny in France. The famous painting is replicated in real life!
The gardens surrounding the lake also contain a plethora of perennial flowers and shade provided by banana and cocos palms. Often native water birds such as Giant Egrets, Water Hens, Spoon Bills, platypus, and numerous ducks are seen foraging for food or building nests.
By far and away, the Giant Amazon water lily will remain in visitors’ memories and perhaps even in nightmares. Nightmares may be exacerbated for those who visited carnivorous kingdom!
The Victoria Cruziana is native to the subtropical regions of South America. It produces very large lily pads that reach 1.4–1.8 metres in diameter. So big, they can hold the weight of a child or small adult. The leaves (lily pads) feature a smooth green top with high sides. However, the underside of leaves and stalks are covered in large razor-sharp spines that can seriously injure a human! Management therefore does not allow visitors to touch these plants.
After corralling the coach load of hungry members, Alessandra took us to the bistro at the Upper Yarra RSL where a choice of roast lamb or grilled fish was served. Only the one dessert was available but none were refused.
Time came to load up and meander through the upper and middle Yarra regions until the Kinglake turn arrived and Whittlesea was soon reached. Folks headed to their homes for the weekend and reassembled a few weeks later for their Annual General Meeting.
