The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden, an attraction that debuted with the property and was among the last to be built of Las Vegas' famous free spectacles, changes its elaborate displays 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, some of which, like the current lighthouse or previous Ferris Wheel, are indeed large and unwieldy.
These props are stored in a 30,000-square-foot warehouse off-property, a helpful member of staff informed us, and they, together with any large plants and trees, are introduced to the exhibit through the back of house, then brought into the Conservatory via a double wall door by Sensi restaurant that opens up, so staff members have plenty of room to transport those larger items. The bigger props are broken down into smaller pieces to fit through this entrance.
Perhaps the largest-ever of these was a 110-foot tall, 200,000-pound dead banyan tree, rescued from Palm Beach, Florida, which was featured in several exhibits back in 2005, before finally being consigned to the wood chipper. You can read about that story in the QoD archives (see QoD 5/27/2010 in the Archives.)
The plants are not grown by Bellagio, but are supplied by various growers in California and Utah who grow for the property. (Bellagio does have a secret garden -- on the roof! -- but it grows fresh herbs for Sensi restaurant, as opposed to any trees. See QoD 6/6/12 for more on organic produce and Las Vegas restaurants.)
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. 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 provides the framework for Chinese New Year. While some popular elements, like the adorable penguins and polar bears at Christmas, may be repeated year-on-year, there's always something fresh and imaginative and the tranquility of the Conservatory never fails to provide a sensory respite from the bustle of the casinos.
Click here to view a photo gallery featuring the current and previous displays, and the "conservatory cam" webcam.
