The sensory character of the resort gardens is "Romantic European." Numerous mature Aleppo Pines (some sculpted to resemble Italian Stone Pines), Italian Cypress, and Fruitless Olives appear in generous measure throughout Bellagio. Fragrant flowering Magnolia trees, white flowering Privet trees, evergreen Carolina Cherry Trees, and Purple Leaf Plum trees enhance the verdant and varied landscape motif. Lightly scented roses, wisteria, cascading rosemary and sweet smelling honeysuckle vines appear, along with seasonal flower beds, in great abundance-- defining the drama and charm that is Bellagio.

Many of the trees that are plentiful throughout the property were actually salvaged from the site's old Dunes golf course. "After the Dunes was imploded four years ago, and we were about to start construction on the property, I had a conversation with Mirage Resorts about the trees that remained on the property," explains Don Brinkerhoff, FASLA, CEO/Founder of Lifescapes International. "I suggested that we assess the viability of these trees, since I believed they could be re-introduced at Bellagio. By being proactive on the tree conservation, we were able to identify over 300 mature pine trees that now grace the gardens at Bellagio."

Barbara Brinkerhoff, Director of Horticulture for the firm, was also responsible for rescuing some mature, specimen trees that were earmarked for destruction and integrating them into the picturesque promenade along the Strip. "I had a unique opportunity to observe some special trees out of state, which I felt were totally compatible with the ambiance and elegance of Bellagio," reveals Barbara. "We simply had them transported to Bellagio where we nurtured them and maintained them until they became part of the permanent installation. It was greatly rewarding to save trees of such beauty." The resort's landscape contractor was Valley Crest, a subsidiary of Environmental Industries.

Situated along the rocky edge of the resort's shoreline, the retail village of Bellagio, known as Via Bellagio, communes with its lake and fabulous fountain. Nestled with a thick, verdant forest, the village becomes a "world apart" brimming with brightly colored flowers and other lush, blooming plants.

Guests searching for Via Bellagio's engaging retail experience can arrive by way of a very special entry drive, just off Flamingo. Guests drive over Mediterranean-style cobblestone paving and proceed up to the covered porte cochere. This lushly landscaped entry is further embellished by groupings of Olive Trees, Italian Cypress trees, flowering shrubs, and elegant garden ornaments. "The intent is to allow visitors to fully immerse themselves into the ambiance, thereby dispensing with the hectic and harried world outside," Don explains.

At the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo, two bridges give easy access to pedestrians who desire to cross above the traffic below. Pedestrians can opt to use either escalators or elevators at the corner of the Piazza, marking the entrance to Via Bellagio. Or they may choose to walk along the promenade at the front of the property and enter via Bellagio Drive where groves of stately olive trees, pines and white flowering Magnolia trees welcome everyone up to the porte cochere. Its entry also has its own very special European parterre garden, with formal hedges, abundant flowers and a magnificent hand-carved fountain, which provides a soothing and sensuous environment.

At the reception area, an atrium garden greets Bellagio's guests. "This is one of the most unique gardens on the property," states Don Brinkerhoff. "Its subtle and quiet elegance sets the tone for the resort's extraordinary garden experiences." It is an intimate garden that says to guests that they are about to partake in the romantic splendor of the resort.

Set to complement the seasonal gardens of the Conservatory, the hotel's reception garden-- which will have seasonal changes-- is now filled with Little Gem Magnolia trees which are arranged in grand European-sculpted urns. These urns are set within two European crafted fountains. These matching fountains are the centerpieces for this scenic garden.

For the resort's inaugural opening, harvest colors of bronze-leafed trees and fragrant white flowers reinforced its autumnal beauty. Fully grown New Zealand Tree Ferns (each over fifty years old) frame the urns, and are also thickly planted with majestic Kentia Palms. Placed at the foreground of the fountains are urns overflowing with massings of Diffenbachia and Arailea. Plantings of "Sensational" Spathylum foliage are atop the central urns.

Floral arrangements of yellow and orange sunflowers explode from these urns and are mingled with Harvest grasses, flax and combinations of orange and rust colored roses. Planted beneath the fountain urns, along the ledges, are clusters of Orange Davis chrysanthemums. Dripping down from beneath these flowers are lacy vines of Algerian Ivy.

At the heart of Bellagio is the heralded Conservatory, where festival and seasonal gardens will be featured throughout the year... all within the refuge of a glass enclosed atrium. The resort's tasteful beauty is reflected in the Conservatory's inaugural palette of the Autumn season. The design celebrates the earthbound pleasures and rewards of nature's most soulful season with abundant bronze and orange colored chrysanthemums nestled around and alongside masses of enormous pumpkins and gigantic umber-colored gourds which fall forward out of the cornucopia.

Tall Italian Cypress trees dot the perimeter pathways of the Conservatory, caressed by towering, orange Cannas flowers with maroon-colored foliage, while majestic Magnolia trees provide symmetry to the garden overall. Two significant planting beds flank a central garden colonnade filled with carpets of flowers, hearty and full flourishing Napa Valley grape vines which embrace artistically sculpted hedges.

At each corner, Tuscan-inspired urns are filled with extraordinary sprays of flowers and lush greenery. Specially designed cone-framed structures provide the foundation for these magnificently displayed floral bouquets.

The central garden area features additional Magnolia trees and boxwood hedges, defining the quiet elegance of this garden experience. The large hopscotch planting stages mirror one another with their checkerboard of sunflowers and fully grown grape vines.

Lushly landscaped trellises are supported by finely detailed columns which feature draperies of small white and green Eva Ivy. These plantings augment the romantic ambience of the garden while providing definition to the mosaic patterned pathways.

Following the harvest setting, a holiday scene celebrating Christmas appeared in time to welcome the New Year and Chinese New Year, complete with a dazzling tree-- decorated by Martha Stewart-- and a 50' dragon. This February, a spring season display will be installed, complete with thousands of springtime flowers and trees.

The extensive pool courtyards provide full service amenities for guests to enjoy. Six distinctive garden pool experiences are easily accessible from a number of locales within the resort. Relaxing pools, soothing spas, garden vista cafes, and private cabanas are accented by artfully formed citrus and parterre gardens. Throughout the pools, Mediterranean fountains, European hand-carved pottery, lush landscaping, and artistically created paving are highly visible elements of the scenic backdrop. Balkan series geraniums are generously planted throughout in a riot of pinks, reds and oranges, and are complemented by groupings of pink roses and subtle lavender.

The progressive approach to the design of the pool area-- one which forsook the traditional palm trees-- creates a one-of-a-kind look for the Bellagio. The formal use of plantings, along with groupings of Italian Cypress, olives and climbing vines, appoint the large unique Mediterranean urns.

Twelve sculpted arches are located along a central promenade walk which separate each distinct pool area. Each arch, is accented by stone urns with lemon-carved facades, which were carved by artisans in Vicenza, Italy. Three of the six pools feature elegantly crafted fountains, which are located in the center of each pool.

Two matching fountains feature large bowls on high pedestals, which have water falling into the pool below. A third fountain has a four-sided finial shape, and features four male faces with water falling from each into the pool below. Other ornaments at the pool include a magnificent sundial, framed by two additional fountains.

Lifescapes wanted to give the gardens that defined each pool area a true European look. Italian Stone Pines were part of an ideal plan to accomplish this ambiance. However, there were no Italian Stone Pines available at the size and character required to support the mature imagery desired. Don Brinkerhoff came up with the idea of sculpting Aleppo Pines, which are bushy from top to bottom, so that they would be pruned to resemble Stone Pines. He had one trimmed up as a sample according to his vision-- and of course, the illusion clicked.

Guests can easily reach the romantic pool courtyards either from a raised belvedere from the arcade walkway or a central promenade that provides inviting shade with Aleppo pines and Dwarf Swan Hill olive trees. Symmetrical parterre gardens banded by hedges complement the artistically tiled pools that are reminiscent of the inspired Mediterranean designs in evidence elsewhere at Bellagio.