Orange lillies
Photo shows lotus seeds - edible like nuts - each seed the size of an Acorn.
Lotus seeds are delicious. The size of a lotus seed is approximately the same as the size of an Acorn. The taste of a fresh and fully ripe lotus seed is somehow comparable to fresh - i.e. un-dried - hazelnuts. Lotus seeds are commonly eaten in Cambodia. Another part of the lotus flower used as food resource are lotus flower stems before they rich the water surface, hence before the lotus buds start to grow. The lotus leaves sometimes are used to wrap food. The common use of lotus parts as widely spread and most valuable food resource is the reason why in Cambodia so many large lotus ponds and lotus fields are maintained. Low maintenance / NO maintenance but a rich source of healthy food. In addition the lotus ponds accommodate a variety of other edible aquatic life such as fish, frogs, edible snails and much more.
At this point the life cycle of a lotus flower ends, new buds grow, open and blossom in full God made beauty for the joy and wellbeing of mankind.
In album Lotus flower photo - Lotus blossom images - Lotus pond photos
Floral bedding is always something that divides gardeners; they either love it or hate it. There seems to be no half measure.
While I wouldn't do it in my own garden I have to admit I think it looks great at Tatton and the 'Conwy Butterflies' created by Conwy County Borough Council display made of marigolds and sempervivum is a worthy winner of the RHS/ Ball Colegrave National Flower Bed Competition. 
The displays are always of a very high standard and there are many that stand out for me including the helicopter in the Cheltenham in Bloom display (Silver) and the cyclists on the Bury Borough Council display. There is even a 'Yellow Submarine' (Silver) courtesy of Vale Royal Borough Council, perfectly placed for suitable accompaniment from the bandstand. 
Many of the displays have interesting stories behind them and a large tank created out of plants was one that stuck out for me. It's been created by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council in honour of Fred Kite, a resident of their borough. It commemorates the two military medals he was awarded while serving with the Royal Tank Regiment in North Africa. A fitting tribute, and certainly an explosion of colour. I've been trying to persuade my colleague Louise to love the flower beds without much success although she did admit that she liked the penguins in the 'Chill Out' display. The RHS are launching Britain's Best Flower Bed Competition for the nation's best flowerbed to rival those at Tatton. The competition is open to any team or individuals working on public bedding displays around the country. If you think you have what it takes, make sure you take a picture of your flowerbed before August 31 and find out how you can enter at the RHS Britain in Bloom site. The winner will have the chance to compete in the National Flower Bed Competition at Tatton 2009. Info from:
Private Club
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