The Essence Of Spring Awakening Is Captured At Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens Display

Celebrating Japan’s rich and vibrant culture, the spring display at Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens features traditional elements reimagined in a fresh way, taking visitors on a stunning journey of the senses.

Envisioned and brought to life by renowned designer Ed Libby and the Bellagio Horticulture team, the new display offers a refreshing approach to several time-honored Japanese customs.

Visitors enter the Conservatory through a 25-foot Torii Gate adorned in pink and white lotus flowers. Capturing guests’ attention as they walk through the entryway is a 35-foot Kabuki character rising from a 60-foot-wide pink lotus flower. Comprised of 5,000 flowers, the majestic Kabuki figure holds a 25-foot-tall Samurai sword, symbolizing power and protection, in one hand, and a 4-foot-wide white pearl, symbolizing prosperity and beauty, in the other. Visible from every vantage point throughout the gardens are two 4-foot cranes, signifying longevity, and 10 vibrant hand-painted butterflies, denoting eternity, suspended in mid-air above the West Bed.

In the North Garden, passersby will encounter a 26-foot-tall Japanese temple, inspired by Kyoto’s famous Kinkaku-ji. Elaborately adorned in gold veneer and built with wood frames, the peaceful place of reflection rests on a shore of tranquil water, located between two intricately designed bird cages. In the South Garden, visitors will find a Japanese tea house nestled among a cherry blossom and bonsai tree. Honoring the traditional Japanese tea ceremony of grace, etiquette and hospitality that dates back to the 9th century, the 12-foot-tall house is made of bamboo and other natural materials, and ornamented with mineral copper accents. Nearby a turtle topiary created with 1,000 fresh cut flowers complements the garden.

“Everything inside the Conservatory pays homage to the vibrant Japanese culture and takes inspiration from Sandro Botticelli’s painting, The Birth of Venus, as well as Kabuki which is a treasured art form in Japan,” said Libby. “I was thrilled when I was asked to design Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens which is such an iconic Las Vegas destination. My event creations generally last for a few hours, so it’s been a true honor to design something that lasts for a few months. This display has allowed me to express myself as an artist in a new way, and took my skill set to a new level.”

For three decades, Ed Libby & Company Events has been designing majestic floral and crystal compositions for prominent recording artists, actors and companies across the United States including the “Wall Street Concert Series” featuring artists like Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie, Beyoncé and Kanye West. The company also has created multiple installations for the annual Macy’s Flower Show in Herald Square. Most recently, Libby brought his expertise and artistic touch to MGM National Harbor, a new resort destination located just outside of Washington, D.C., with a series of seasonal displays throughout 2017.

Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Spring Display Fast Facts:
Display dates: Now – May 14
Total flowers on display for the duration of the exhibit: 80,000

Kabuki Figure
Height: 35 feet
Flowers: 5,000

Torii Gate
Height: 25 feet

Japanese Temple
Height: 26 feet

Tea House
Height: 12 feet
Width: 10 feet

Cranes
Height: 4 feet

Hanging Butterflies
Height: Range from 2.5 to 5.5 feet
Width: Range from 4 to 6 feet

Butterfly Topiaries
Height: 4 feet
Length: 6 feet
Width: 3 feet
Flowers: 2,000

Turtle Topiary
Height: 4 feet
Length: 7 feet
Width: 5 feet
Flowers: 900

Related Links:

Book Today: Bellagio Resort and Casino