In celebration of spring, Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens features a spectacular floral exhibition filled with vivid blooms and a magnificent one-of-a-kind series of large-scale bronze sculptural ants. Inspired by the social nature of these industrious creatures, American artist Susan P. Cochran created a seven-member colony that represents the ideals of cooperation and teamwork.

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Four enchanting gardens, created by Bellagio's talented horticulture staff, provide a lush landscape for these intricately detailed creatures. Resting below two towering yellow jonquils, a queen ant allows guests to climb onto her back for a unique photo opportunity. The stunning 8,500-pound queen provides an ideal vantage point for viewing an exhibit of botanical snails and bumblebees as well as brightly colored tulips, poppies, daisies, mums and daffodils.

Steps away, three 10-foot-long ants can be found attentively preparing for the warm months ahead at the mouth of a 15-foot-tall flower pot, overflowing with rainbow-hued blooms. A beautiful spring butterfly rests atop the oversized pot while a towering 28-foot spade stands nearby. Overhead, bumblebees made of preserved sunflowers pause mid-flight in their tireless search for nectar.

Close-by another first for Bellagio's Conservatory, five giant mushrooms - ranging in size from 5 to 15 feet tall - provide a natural canopy for the pair of 6-feet-tall ants found communicating below.

A jardin a la francaise, or French garden, completes this fantasy botanical wonderland. Within its fragrant symmetrical borders, a large anthill is flanked by two water spheres. A 3-foot-long ant is seen crawling into the golden sunlight from its earthen tunnel as its industrious counterpart works nearby.

Throughout this mesmerizing exhibit, botany fans will be delighted to find a rare exhibition of 10 potted olive trees, each more than 100 years old. Over the years, these ancient trees have been carefully sculptured into oversized bonsai presentations.

Access to the spring exhibit within Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and will be on display through May 9.

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SOURCE: MGM MIRAGE

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