Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden Honors Japanese Culture with New Spring Display
Now Through May 14
Blooming cherry blossoms, peaceful waterfalls and traditional Japanese architecture welcome the spring season to Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, now through May 14.
Upon entering the Japanese-themed spring display, guests will embark on a journey of the senses beginning with a symbolic tea house nestled among raked golden sand and cherry blossom trees in the East Garden. The 12-foot-tall house, made from bamboo and natural material and ornamented with mineral copper accents, honors Japan’s cultural tea tradition, dating back to the ninth century. Inside the tea house, a mesmerizing hand-made wreath named Senbazuro Nest, complete with 1,000 Origami cranes, will delight the eyes and mind. Each delicate and colorful crane symbolizes peace, good health and longevity. Intricately hand-painted with cherry blossoms and cranes, 14 colorful parasols float above the garden, visible from every vantage point.
A few steps away in the West Garden, the journey continues with two bamboo structured Tsukubai waterfalls that outline the path through a 30-foot dogwood tree covered with bright fuchsia leaves. The tranquil waterfalls flow from 16 feet above into a serene pond that plays home to 75 Koi fish. Above the walkway, in the heart of the tree, sits a deck made of redwood and bamboo-inspired railings that wrap around the structure. A pair of hand-made birds rest on the railings while others sit atop two hanging bird houses. Among the fresh tulips and chrysanthemums, live canaries find their home in two intricately designed bird cages located on both sides of the garden.
Flowers bloom throughout the Conservatory, especially in the North Garden where visitors will encounter an 18-foot-tall cherry blossom tree elegantly adorned with 300 acrylic blossoms and leaves. Just as in nature, no two blossoms are identical. Nearby, stretching seven feet in length is a topiary turtle made of 850 fresh cut roses, resting beside five rustic twig fountains covered in moss. Providing a warm glow to the garden after sunset are three hand-painted Japanese lanterns that hang above the cherry blossom tree.
Guests will gaze upon additional lanterns within a hanging garden of cherry blossom vines in the South Garden. Below the whimsical garden is a sacred scene featuring a 26-foot traditional Japanese Temple. The golden temple, complete with wood frames covered in canvas cloth, sits on a shore of calming waters replicative of the original Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, Japan. Across the shore sits a majestic six-foot topiary crane, made from 2,600 carnations and ostrich feathers.
Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Japanese Spring Display Fast Facts:
Display dates: Now – May 14
Total flowers on display for the duration of the exhibit: 82,830
Dogwood Tree
Height: 30 feet
Diameter: 12 feet
Cherry Blossom Tree
Height: 18 feet
Width: 20 feet
Length: 10 feet
Blossoms: 300
Japanese Temple
Height: 26 feet
Tea House
Height: 12 feet
Width: 10 feet
Tsukubai Fountain
Height: 16 feet
Depth: 12 feet
Width: 10 feet
Crane
2,600 carnations
Height: 6 feet
Wing span: 6 feet
Turtle
Flowers: 850 roses
Height: 4 feet
Length: 7 feet
Width: 5 feet