Helen Fowler Library
The Helen Fowler Library holds a significant collection of botanical and horticultural materials about the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world.
The library supports research at the Gardens as well as community interests. The collection of approximately 25,000 titles includes subjects such as:
- Gardening, horticulture, botany, agriculture and landscaping
- Colorado native plants and world flora
- Botanical art and illustration
- Medical botany, ethnobotany, plant lore, plant pests and diseases
- A large selection of children’s books, fiction and DVDs
Visitors are encouraged to peruse the shelves, research within the Helen Fowler Library and ask questions of library staff and volunteers during open hours. Access our online catalog to search for materials by subject, title, author or keyword.
Contact us with general questions or for eBook registration at 720-865-3570, or email library@botanicgardens.org.
Visit the Library
Library Collections
Library Research
Library Programs
Electronic Resources
Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Free admission to the library for members and the general public, no reservation required. Admission to the Gardens is separate.
- Early closures due to concerts or other special events will affect library hours.
- Closed on the following holidays: New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
Gardening Help
April – Oct.: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nov. – Dec.: Email only – gardeninghelp@botanicgardens.org
Jan. – March: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
You can also reach Gardening Help at 720-865-3575 or by email at gardeninghelp@botanicgardens.org.
Location
Denver Botanic Gardens
Freyer – Newman Center
1085 York Street
Denver, CO 80206
Who was Helen Fowler?
Helen Fowler (1879-1960) and her husband John were the owners of Shadow Valley Gardens, a large nursery in Wheat Ridge, CO. They were active members of the Colorado Forestry and Horticulture Association, and Mrs. Fowler took the lead in creating a collection of gardening books for use by Association members. By 1947 she had spent considerable time securing donations of both books and money to build a collection of gardening and botanical books, which was housed in the newly donated Waring House at 909 York Street. In 1948 the Association officially named the library in her honor, and she was also given the honorary title of Librarian, although she had not been formally trained in the field. She managed the library for the next 10 years.
In 1960 the Colorado Forestry and Horticulture Association merged with the newly created Denver Botanic Gardens, and the assets of the Association, including the Helen Fowler Library, were transferred to the Gardens. The library collection remained at the Waring House until 1971 when it was moved to the Boettcher Memorial Center.
In 2020, the library moved to its current location in the Freyer – Newman Center for Science, Art and Education.
Are study rooms available?
Yes! Two study rooms are available at no cost to visitors.
- Each room seats up to four.
- There is a two-hour time limit; one booking per day.
- Rooms are available during library open hours.
- Reservations will be cancelled if not occupied within 15 minutes of the scheduled booking.
- No food please. Covered drinks are acceptable.
- Wi-Fi access: DBG-Public-Wi-Fi (no password)
Study rooms may be booked up to one week in advance by calling 720-865-3570 or emailing library staff at library@botanicgardens.org to schedule a time and date.