Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Garden's autumn display celebrates the beauty and wondrous culture of India with golden leaves, soothing waterfalls and, for the first time, two 14-foot exotic elephants.
The "Indian Summer" display begins with the discovery of North America and the weather of early fall. When explorers reached land, they mistakenly believed they had reached India. In their writing, they told of the incredible new world they found with its beautiful warm climate and second harvest. They called it "Indian Summer."
Inspired by designer Ed Libby’s travels to India, this display brings to life India’s culture, folklore and festivities through floral and botanical art. The captivating exhibit is open through November 30 and is a striking departure from previous displays at Bellagio.
Creating a stunning pathway for visitors at the entrance of the Conservatory are two glittering 24-foot floral arches embellished with rose petals and botanical foliage and ornamented with flames, as fire is considered a purifying and sustaining life force in Indian culture. The gilded arcs lead to a regal mandap, a structure traditionally used for Indian weddings, made from thousands of red, yellow and orange carnations. A bed of colossal pumpkins, ranging in size, and four soothing fountains line the walkway’s edge.
At the center of the display are two majestic 14-foot Asian elephants spouting water from their trunks, with blinking eyes and moving tails, wearing colorful blankets made from 20,000 pink and purple roses. A delicate waterfall fairy dances in front of the pachyderms while two Hanuman deities, a part-human and part-monkey Hindu God known for energy and strength, gather a bountiful harvest in intricate hand-painted, wooden carts. Breathtaking chandeliers resembling Kalire, umbrella-shaped ornaments worn by brides during Indian wedding ceremonies, provide a peaceful glow.
Nearby, two 25-foot tigers made from yellow lentils, red and black cargo rice and caraway seeds keep a watchful eye over the North Garden. A gentle rain curtain pours over a fallen log, providing a perch for one observant tiger, while birds of paradise and cattails offer a hiding place for the other Bengal. Three floral sculptures made from more than 2,000 vibrant roses rest on the edge of the pond.
Delighting guests in the South Garden, a 28-foot enchanted talking tree provides shelter for multiple energetic peacocks that call to each other and fluff their feathers among the branches. At the base of the tree trunk, a family of wily foxes perches on top of a magical carpet and frolics around a blue and gold decorated lamp while a striking array of oversized glistening oak leaves and dragonflies flutter overhead.
The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is complimentary to the public.
Autumn Display by the Numbers
- 45,000: Total number of flowers on display for the duration of the exhibit
- 20,000: Total number of preserved roses for each elephant blanket
- 2,600: Number of roses in each floral sculpture
- 125: Team members who participate in the display’s assembly
- 25 feet: Height of Mandap
- 24 feet: Height of floral arches with flames
- 14 feet: Height of elephants
- 25 feet: Length of tigers
- 24 feet: Height of talking tree
- 24 feet: Tropical blooming tree
- 16 feet: Diameter of floral sculptures
- 14 feet: Height of waterfall fairy
- 12: Number of varieties of chrysanthemums featured in the autumn display
- 7: Number of floral chandeliers
