Garden Secrets — Montecito Landscape

Luxury Without Lawns

Lawns are beautiful, but are they sustainable in the West? I think many of us are rethinking that. But, rather than focusing on what we can’t have, let’s put attention on what we can have; beautiful, luxurious gardens without lawns.

Dog friendly landscape design

Are dogs and gardens mutually exclusive? The answer is no! As long as you keep certain basic design concepts in mind….

You can have your landscape and eat it too

Want and edible garden? Try adding edibles into your existing landscape, here's some ideas on how to get started

Seasonal Surprises

I love seasonal surprises, don’t you? Oh, and I’m not talking about the stream of relatives visiting for the summer! I’m talking about creating a garden with year-round color! Read on….

Move over Kendall Jenner

Watching the Met Gala red carpet reminds me how landscape design is like fashion design. Just as there are design classics, so there are garden design classics. There are always trends in design, wondering where to start? Read on

Garden Design, Client Project, Drought tolerant, Garden Inspiration, It's About The Joy!, Montecito Lifestyle, outdoor living, Santa Barbara StyleLisa CullenMay 10, 2023landscape design ideas, landscape design, garden inspiration, garden design, santa barbara, montecito, roses, drought tolerant, luxe, arbor

The Secret to Garden Success

Celebrate Earth Day weekend by knowing your unique microclimate, the secret to garden success

Garden Inspiration, Garden Design, fountains, Drought tolerant, Client Project, Montecito Lifestyle, outdoor livingLisa CullenApril 23, 2023montecito style, santa barbara, san ysidro ranch, landscape design ideas, climate zones, garden inspiration

Landscape Design From Within

Instead of focusing on curb appeal try a different point of view, landscaping from within

Garden Design, fountains, Client Project, koi pond, Montecito Lifestyle, outdoor living, Santa Barbara StyleLisa CullenMarch 16, 2023landscape design ideas, low maintenance, landscape design, tea house, landscape lighting, secret garden, shade garden, montecito style, santa barbara, san ysidro ranch

How Homemade Pasta and Backyard Chickens Just Might Save The World

Ever wonder how homemade pasta and backyard chickens might be able to change the world? I wondered the same thing see what I found out

Garden Trivia, Garden Inspiration, Garden Design, It's About The Joy!, Montecito Lifestyle, outdoor living, Random Musings, Santa Barbara StyleLisa CullenMarch 2, 2023organic gardening, homemade pasta, raising chickens, urban chickens, homesteading, landscape design ideas, love, montecito, santa barbara, central coast

New Year-New Garden

Happy New Year (sort of) I know I’m a bit tardy. It’s never too late to create a more beautiful Garden. Here are steps to help get you on your way

Lisa CullenFebruary 15, 2023

Happy Holidays from Montecito Landscape

This is the time of year to celebrate friends and family. We wish you the best holiday season ahead. We have our own traditions that are unique to Montecito, here are just a few of our favorite things

Garden Trivia, Garden Inspiration, Garden Design, Montecito LifestyleLisa CullenDecember 7, 2022holidays, Christmas decor, landscape design ideas, garden design, santa barbara, san ysidro ranch, Miramar hotel Montecito, Montecito resorts, joy, garden inspiration, landscape lighting

Ready Your Garden for the Holidays in 4 easy Steps

I’m not sure anyone is ever ready for the Holiday season, but with these 4 easy steps you might be able to get your garden a little nearer, even if you are nowhere close…

Garden Trivia, Garden Inspiration, Garden Design, Random Musings, Montecito LifestyleLisa CullenNovember 29, 2022Montecito Landscapeholiday decor, holiday inspiration, montecito resorts, montecito holiday, traditional holiday, Gardening, landscape design ideas, garden inspiration, local haunts, santa barbara, montecito style

5 steps to create living soil

You can spend hundreds or even hundreds of thousands on plants, hardscape, irrigation and all the rest, but if your soil is dead, your garden will not thrive. Here are 5 steps to bring your soil back to life

Lisa CullenNovember 10, 2022Comment

Garden Design Basics-Finding Your Own Unique Style

Beauty can be in the eye of the beholder when it comes to good design, or is it? Is there some universal standard of beauty? The real challenge is how to find your own garden style.

Lisa CullenOctober 27, 2022

The Surprising History of Lawns in America

Green, weed-free lawns so common today didn't exist in America until the late 18th century. The story of how we become so addicted to water hungry lawns is a story of commerce not ecology

Lisa CullenOctober 12, 2022Montecito Landscape

Landscape Design-Five Pro Tips for Fall

Happy Fall! Your garden can look gorgeous all year round, here are my 5 pro design tips for a beautiful year-round garden

Hope Ranch Paradise

Peak behind the gates of Hope Ranch at our latest garden reveal that is both drought tolerant and beautiful

5 Secrets to Beautiful End of Summer Garden

Summer still has a month to go and after a long dry spell your garden might need a little help. But it isn’t the kind of help you might be thinking. Here are 5 secrets to a happier summer garden.

Coriander, Julia Child, Lust and Bedbugs

Julia Child is famous for hating Cilantro aka fresh coriander. To celebrate her birthday, here’s a bit of fun and history about Cilantro.

Part of the fun in gardening is discovering the history of plants, how they were used in ancient times and of course how they are regarded in current culture. Since coriander is one of the world’s most frequently-used herbs, let’s start there.

Garden Design for the senses-Color

Create mood in your garden with color. Find out how

Garden Design, Garden Inspiration, Gardening Tip, It's About The Joy!, Santa Barbara StyleLisa CullenAugust 4, 2022drought tolerant, santa barbara, summer garden, outdoor kitchen, outdoor living, outdoor entertainment, Fountains, flowers, pizza oven

5 Tips for a Perfect Fiesta Garden Santa Barbara Style

Fiesta Santa Barbara is Back!

Santa Barbara Old Spanish Days is back for the first time in three years! And that is cause to celebrate. Here are 5 tips for a summer fiesta garden Santa Barbara style

Garden Design, Gardening Tip, Random Musings, Uncategorized, Drought tolerant, Santa Barbara Style, It's About The Joy!Lisa CullenJuly 21, 2022drought tolerant, garden design, garden makeover, landscape design ideas, montecito, santa barbara, Santa Barbara, old spanish days, horses, paradeComment