Foundation Library
Heaths, lavender, and dwarf conifers front this horticulture library, leading up to the greenhouse area and enhancing the space with their beauty.
Foundation Library
Fronted by heaths, lavender, and dwarf conifers, the Foundation Library offers a unique blend of horticultural resources and serene plantings. This garden area features a rain catchment, demonstrating the sustainable practice of utilizing rain water. It serves as both a place of learning and relaxation, providing a peaceful setting for visitors to delve into the world of plants.
Key plants from this area are listed below by their botanical and common names to help inspire your sustainable garden designs.
Botanical Name
Common Name
Abies koreana
Korean Fir 'Alpine Star'
Abies pinsapo
Upright Spanish Fir 'Fastigiata'
Acer palmatum
Japanese maple 'Mikawa yatsubusa'
Acer palmatum
Japanese maple 'Orange Marmalade'
Achillea x
Yarrow 'Moonshine'
Amelanchier alnifolia
Pacific Serviceberry ‘Obelisk’
Berberis darwinii
Darwin Barberry
Berberis wilsoniae
Barberry 'Mrs. Wilson’s Ace'
Bergenia cassifolia
Bergenia 'Pigsqueak'
Calluna vulgaris
Scotch Heather ‘Dart’s Flamboyant’
Calluna vulgaris
Scotch Heather ‘Liesi’
Carex obnupta
Slough Sedge
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
California Lilac ‘Victoria’
Cedrus libani
Cedar of Lebanon ‘Hedgehog’
Cedrus libani
Cedar of Lebanon ‘Home Park’
Cedrus libani var. brevifolia
Cyprus Cedar 'Kenwith’
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
Port Orford Cedar ‘Spring Cream’
Cornus x
Dogwood ‘Eddie’s White Wonder’
Daboecia cantabrica
Irish Bell Heather ‘Hookstone Purple’
Daboecia cantabrica
Irish Bell Heather ‘St. Daboec’
Daboecia x scotica
Irish Bell Heather ‘Silverwells’
Erica carnea
Winter Heath ‘Etta Rose’
Erica carnea
Twisted Heath ‘Golden Starlet’
Erica tetralix
Cross-leaved Heath ‘Swedish Yellow’
Erica vagans
Cornish Heath ‘Fiddlestone’
Erica vagans
Cornish Heath ‘Ida M. Britten’
Erica vagans
Cornish Heath ‘Mrs. Waterer’
Erica vagans
Cornish Heath ‘Pyrenees Pink’
Erica vagans
Cornish Heath ‘Viridiflora’
Erica vagans
Cornish Heath ‘Yellow John’
Erica x darleyensis
Dale Darley Heath 'Eva Gold'
Erica x darleyensis
Dale Darley Heath 'Goldrush'
Erica x darleyensis
Dale Darley Heath 'Mary Helen'
Erica x darleyensis
Dale Darley Heath 'Rubina'
Erica x darleyensis
Dale Darley Heath 'Silberschmelze'
Erica x darleyensis
Dale Darley Heath 'White Glow'
Euonymus japonicus
Japanese Euonymus 'Chollipo'
Fagus sylvatica
Weeping Golden European Beech 'Aurea Pendula'
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo 'Menhir'
Ginkgo biloba
Ginko 'Pévé Maribo'
Iris douglasiana
Douglas Iris
Juncus ensifolius
Dagger-leafed Rush
Larix laricina
Tamarack (American Larch) 'Big Mama'
Lavandula angustifolia
English Lavender 'Coconut Ice'
Lavandula angustifolia
English Lavender 'Platinum Blonde'
Mahonia aquifolium
Tall Oregon Grape
Mahonia x media
Leather-leaf Mahonia 'Charity'
Mimulus guttatus
Yellow Monkey Flower
Penstemon serrulatus
Cascade Penstemon
Picea engelmannii
Engelmann Spruce 'Mistaya Canyon'
Picea engelmannii
Engelmann Spruce 'Pocahontas'
Pinus banksiana
Jack Pine 'Mini Kingdom'
Pinus banksiana
Jack Pine 'Skjak Flach'
Pinus densiflora
Japanese Red Pine 'Erecta'
Pinus edulis
Colorado or Two-Needle Pinyon 'Fancy Nancy'
Pinus edulis
Colorado or Two-Needle Pinyon 'Proctor Pinyon'
Pinus nigra
Austrian Pine 'Frank'
Pinus parviflora
Japanese White Pine 'Tone'
Pinus peuce
Macedonian (Balkan) Pine 'Latgale'
Pinus strobus
Eastern White Pine 'Bob's Whiskers'
Polystichum munitum
Sword Fern
Salix gilgiana
Winter Willow
Sidalcea malviflora ssp. virgata
Dwarf Checkerbloom
Taxodium distichum
Bald Cypress 'Gee Wiz'
Taxus baccata
English Yew 'Balatka'
Teucrium fruticans
Bush Germander
Thuja occidentalis
Eastern Arborvitae 'Malonyana holub'
Tsuga canadensis
Canadian (Eastern) Hemlock 'Pott's Pole'
Tsuga diversifolia
Dwarf Northern Japanese Hemlock 'Gracilis'
Tsuga mertensiana
Mountain Hemlock
Viburnum tinus
Laurustinus 'Spring Bouquet'
Vitex agnus-castus
Chaste Tree 'Shoal Creek'
Yucca filamentosa
Adam's Needle 'Color Guard'
Learning in Harmony
The serene landscape of the Foundation Library
The Foundation Library is a harmonious blend of horticultural knowledge and serene natural beauty. As you approach, you are greeted by a thoughtfully designed landscape fronted by heaths, lavender, and dwarf conifers, each chosen for their resilience and aesthetic appeal. These plants create a welcoming atmosphere, inviting visitors to explore both the library’s resources and the surrounding gardens.
At the heart of this area is a rain catchment system, a subtle yet powerful demonstration of sustainable gardening practices. By capturing and utilizing rainwater, the Foundation Library exemplifies how gardens can be both beautiful and environmentally responsible. The presence of this system not only supports the health of the plantings but also serves as a practical lesson in protecting the surrounding water quality by reducing runoff that may otherwise enter the Puget Sound.
Beyond its role as a repository of horticultural knowledge, the Foundation Library offers a peaceful setting for relaxation and reflection. Whether you’re delving into a book on plant care or simply enjoying the fragrant blooms of lavender and the calming presence of dwarf conifers, this garden area provides a tranquil space to connect with nature and deepen your understanding of the plant world. It stands as a testament to the belief that learning and relaxation can coexist beautifully, enriching both the mind and the spirit.
Explore the next area: Sam’s Conifer Reserve
Rare and dwarf conifers provide year-round interest with diverse forms, colors and textures.
Contact Us
Albers Marcovina Vista Gardens Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Federal Tax ID is 37-1546572