The Bellagio conservatory changes its display five times a year — once for each of the four seasons, plus again for Chinese New Year. Each new setup involves completely different plants and trees and a totally new "theatrical presentation" of the various elements, which include not only the living components, but also the gazebos, bridges, and various water features that can be added or removed, plus appropriate embellishments that create the desired seasonal ambience. On average, it takes the horticulture staff, which numbers approximately 140 men and women, seven days, working round the clock, to switch out each display. They don't close the conservatory during this time, so if you're lucky enough to be there at the right time, you can watch a new creation being put together. However, they do close certain aisles so there's enough room for workers, plant materials, and mechanical booms and lifts to operate, while keeping the public out of harm's way.
The lighting effects are the work of award-winning theatrical-lighting designer David Hersey, whose credits include such Broadway hits as Cats, Evita, Les Misérables, and Miss Saigon. (Hersey also oversaw the lighting of the exterior of the hotel and the Mirage volcano.) Specialized fixtures were designed for the conservatory, allowing for every flower to be specially illuminated and a new lighting design for each individual display.
Although the designs change from year to year, the themes remain constant: Spring features cherry blossoms, replaced by an array of colorful and fragrant flora for the summer; autumnal tones, pumpkins, and scarecrows usher in the fall; a lavish Christmas display with a traditional tree as the centerpiece marks the winter season; and a feng shui design and pagoda provide the framework for Chinese New Year.
