Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Garden – Summer Celebration

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(Fig. 01)

The “Summer” exhibit at Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens takes guests into the depths of the ocean with some of the most vibrant under water scenes ever presented at the botanical garden. The exhibit combines iconic underwater corals (Fig. 01), sunken ships (Fig. 02), nearly a half dozen of floating jellyfish (Fig. 03), a mermaid (Fig. 04), a swimming sea turtle (Fig. 06), sea horses, beach elements and a flotilla of fish swimming through a underwater garden of kelp (Fig. 05). The suspended schools of fish are an elaborated mechanized mobile that cause the fish to move, making each of them appear to be swimming. Schools of colorful acrylic fish and brightly colored barnacles amongst the cascading water walls on a multi-tiered, 20 by 35 foot, 26-foot tall coral reef that make up the focus of garden exhibit (Fig. 01). Each level of this magnificent centerpiece reveals a different group of underwater dwellers. A six-foot by five-foot high animated clam rests beneath the schools of fish and bunches of colorful coral, opening every seven minutes to reveal an illuminated pearl behind a curtain of bubbles.

(Fig. 02)

(Fig. 03) (Fig. 04)

(Fig. 05)

A floral sea turtle (Fig. 06) comprised of red carnations and yellow Fuji mums rests opposite the clam (Fig. 07), while the 20-foot diameter, soft and delicate jellyfish gently sway above the coral reef (Fig. 08). The sunken fishing vessel (Fig. 02), 35-foot long by 9-foot wide, is made of teak, mahogany and cedar wood, and is burrowed below the sand and flowers, surrounded with splotches of coral (Fig. 11). Nearby the sunken ship is a large treasure chest (Fig. 12) that is overflowing with twinkling jewels and riches. The beautiful mermaid with her tail sits aside a flowing waterfall (Fig. 04), flowered by a bed of 1,500 flowers.

(Fig. 06)

(Fig. 07) (Fig. 08)

(Fig. 09) (Fig. 10)

(Fig. 11) Connie, Blake Smith and I (Fig. 11) that this was one of the must exhibits we have ever visited. Two live 45-minute musical performances fill Bellagio’s Conservatory with varieties of jazz and symphonic harps daily (4:30 – 5:15 p.m. and 5:45 – 6:30 p.m.). It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is complimentary to the public. If you want to experience this outstanding, one of a kind exhibit, you must visit it before September 12. Don’t miss it!