About Bryan
A gardener since he could hold a shovel, Bryan Fischer is an award-winning horticulturist based in Northern Colorado.
Cultivating Western Gardens
Part plantsman, part designer and part explorer, Bryan Fischer has built his career around growing better gardens. Through Zephyr Gardens, he brings together decades of horticultural experience, a deep knowledge of plants and a passion for cultivating resilient, naturalistic landscapes that are as beautiful as they are ecologically valuable.
In 2025, Bryan was recognized with the Individual Partner Award by Plant Select® for his contributions to the mission of the non-profit in forwarding sustainable gardening in the West.
Today, Bryan serves as the Horticulture Manager for the High Plains Environmental Center, a role he was recruited in 2026 to pioneer.
There, Bryan oversees the visitor center gardens, develops the organization’s horticulture department and consults on complex regional development and private landscape projects.
Thanks to flexibility from Director Jim Tolstrup, who graciously welcomed Bryan’s in horticulture writing, speaking, teaching and plant breeding, Bryan continues these endeavors in a manner that benefits both parties.
High Plains Environmental Center
Bryan previously worked as the Curator of Plant Collections for the Gardens on Spring Creek, During his 10 years at The Gardens, he taught about horticulture to horticulture staff and the public while overseeing curation across the grounds. While at the organization, he developed the institutions first collections plan, led the first site-wide inventory of more than 10,000 plant records, and cared for an acre of naturalistic gardens.
Opposed in cadence but equally compelling, the detail-oriented Rock Garden and big-picture-oriented Prairie Garden served as destination gardens under his care. The Prairie, his own design, has appeared in books and other publications, including Claire Takacs’ Visionary: Gardens and Landscapes for our Future as an example of cutting-edge naturalistic garden design.
Gardens on Spring Creek
Professional Influences
