Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Transforms Into a Whimsical Winter Wonderland
Capturing the spirit of the season, Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens unveiled its majestic holiday display this week inviting visitors to explore the glamorous imaginary world of Her Majesty Queen Bellissima. Adorned in holiday-trimmed botanical elements, the Conservatory features a 42-foot-tall live White Fir tree dripping with thousands of twinkling lights, 28,000 various types of Poinsettias, an opulent carriage, the Queen’s castle and her bustling elves preparing for the holiday season.
Queen Bellissima will captivate guests through January 5, 2020 as they discover four garden bed displays, each representing a holiday tradition or magical moment in the Queen’s winter wonderland. This year’s theme, “Making Holiday Memories,” was designed by Ed Libby and the Bellagio Horticulture team.
“Our horticulture team worked tirelessly for seven days straight to bring this holiday display to life,” said Libby. “Each elf within the Conservatory represents the designers, decorators, engineers, electricians, florists and gardeners who helped produce the spirit of the season for everyone to enjoy.”
Towering over this year’s display in the West Garden is a 42-foot tall fresh-cut White Fir tree blanketed with 7,000 sparkling white lights and 2,500 ornaments. A whimsical five-car toy train, equipped with a live camera, whirls on its tracks around the base of the tree. Guests will marvel at the glamorous ice queen dressed in a couture-inspired gown made of preserved red and white roses, silver palmetto leaves, fresh hydrangeas and Phalaenopsis orchids. waving her wand as she welcomes visitors. Escorted by a polar bear family, the queen brings gifts of joy and prosperity to guests from near and far.
Guests continue their journey with a stop in the East Garden, where they’ll find the queen’s European-themed carriage decorated with vintage lanterns and a crystal chandelier. Two pearl-curtained windows present a beautiful photo opportunity for visitors to capture precious holiday memories. The coach is pulled by four 12-foot-tall white horses handsomely dressed in their finest regalia.
In the North Garden, Queen Bellissima welcomes onlookers to her newly renovated Gothic castle. At 28-feet tall, the opulent castle is surrounded by a moat and is connected by a passageway inspired by the Gothic Bridge in New York’s Central Park. Frolicking floral elves invite guests in, while four rotating soldiers stand guard.
The enchanting new South Bed offers a glimpse into the Queen’s private quarters as she prepares for the holiday season. Visitors will find a breathtaking rose window, stunning fireplace and floral-embellished furnishings along with her mischievous puppy.
Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To learn more, please visit Bellagio’s newsroom.
Holiday Display By the Numbers
34,000: Total number of flowers on display for the duration of the exhibit
28,000: Number of Poinsettias
12,000: Number of hydrangeas used to create the papa polar bear
7,000: Number of LED lights on the holiday tree
2,500: Number of ornaments on the holiday tree
2,500: Number of white carnations and hydrangeas to create each baby polar bear
1,000: Number of pounds of tapioca pearls on the carriage
322: Tufts of red velvet with crystal buttons inside the carriage
180: Number of pounds of black lentils coating the fenders on the carriage
125: Team members who participate in the display’s assembly
120: Number of pounds of golden flax seed and brown flax seed covering the wheels
42 feet: Height of the White Fir holiday tree
25: Number of Silver Tip Fir trees
11: Number of hanging glimmering stars
7: Number of elves
5: Number of polar bears
4: Number of horses
4: Number of toy soldiers