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As Lan Su Chinese Garden celebrates its 10th Anniversary Year, we have asked members to share their stories of Lan Su.

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Lloyd & Judy Lindley

Photo courtesy Lloyd & Judy LindleyDonors - Aquatic Plants

Lloyd & Judy Lindley, in their own words:
During the mid 1990’s our family spent time in Asia including, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia and while not China we became enamored with Asian culture. In Indonesia we enjoyed stunning Lotus gardens and water features with aquatic plants in Bali and we recognized the strong symbolism that the lotus embodies throughout Asia including China. 

At the time of our first involvement with the garden, much of the energy around Lan Su focused on completing the buildings and collecting and installing the garden plant collection.  Our interest in the aquatic plant collection grew as we traveled to Beijing and X’ian where we visited the Beijing Botanical Gardens.  Our interest in educating our community and the uniqueness that lotus would bring to Portland inspired us to pursue Lotus in Lan Su.

We suggested that Lotus become part of the planting scheme for the garden pond because the Lotus symbolizes divine beauty and as Chinese Confucian scholar Zhou Dunyi said, “I love the lotus because while growing from the mud, it is unstained.” The lotus also represents purity of the body, speech and mind.  Mostly we love the lotus for its amazing beauty and how during its time of year, it adds a new and refreshing dimension to Lan Su that is unique to Portland.

Not to forget the water lilies that flower for much of the summer and provide shady places for Koi and bright spots of color that hover over the murky water, we believe that the garden and its botanical collection helps to educate minds and brighten lives within its intense urban context at the heart of our City.

Lloyd & Judy’s story is just one of a thousand stories of Lan Su.  Create your own story by becoming a member and discovering your own favorite moment.