Montecito Landscape Gets National Attention

Montecito Landscape owners, Chris and Lisa Cullen in a beautiful garden designed by Chris

Montecito Landscape Gets National Attention

Montecito Landscape was featured in Landscape Management Magazine issue and it was a bit of a surprise. When I was contacted by the magazine, they asked if I'd mind being interviewed for a feature. Of course I said "yes" but didn't know what to expect. Were others really interested in the landscape management practices of our small company? I love it when the unexpected happens! See what you think.

Montecito Landscape: California Dreaming

(excerpted from article in Landscape Management) Most Montecito Landscape projects begin with what Lisa Cullen calls a “descriptive interpretation” of the client’s requests. There’s no need for detailed drawings, she says, because those would only hinder the creative process that drives her and her husband, Chris Cullen, to create the artistic, imaginative landscapes—or “the look” —they’ve become known for during the company’s 50 years in business.“You start with a concept of what you’re going to do, but as the job progresses, things change,” says Lisa Cullen, who co-owns the Montecito, Calif., company with her husband. “You find a boulder or you just decide to go in a different direction. To be honest, most of the landscape design is done in the ground.”This easy-going attitude prevails at Montecito Landscape, where the goal is to bring the unique character of Montecito to life for every client. But perhaps the most important goal is to uphold the good reputation the company has earned throughout the years.“In a smaller town, your reputation is of utmost importance and word of mouth is vital,” Lisa Cullen says.

This flagstone patio and fire pit creates the perfect place for entertaining no matter the time of year and affords a magnificent ocean view from this Montecito hill top

Coming from a family of artists, Chris Cullen worked as a sculptor and musician before following his passion for nature and starting Montecito Landscape in 1970. Lisa Cullen, who also has worked as a professional artist, joined the company about 22 years ago. Today, Montecito Landscape offers landscape design/build services to residential clients. The company has grown from “Chris and his truck” to 10 full-time employees serving clients in Montecito and neighboring Santa Barbara, Calif.

Natural stone walls and steps and gravel paths meander through this drought tolerant garden designed by Chris Cullen of Montecito Landscape

Doing what is right for the client and the environment

With record-breaking drought plaguing California for the past four years, the Cullens have witnessed how mandatory water use cutbacks have changed the way many homeowners view their landscapes. Lisa Cullen says her crews have been busy removing lawns and replacing them with drought-tolerant landscapes. This summer’s excessive heat prompted the Cullens to be even more cautious about what they planted and when. Lisa Cullen recalls several instances of advising customers to hold off installing new plant life until the weather cools down or winter, hopefully, brings some much-needed rain.“We’re thinking of the environment, the customer and doing what we think is right.”

Emerson holds out a colorful bouquet of Mexican marigold and ivy geranium

Montecito Landscape Guarantee

Like other aspects of the business, Montecito Landscape plant guarantee is a lenient policy to keep customers happy. If a plant dies, the company replaces it. “Part of why we can have such a generous guarantee is because our customers are the people we choose to work with. We do what’s consistent with our brand and our philosophy,” Lisa Cullen says.

Montecito Landscape its about the Joy

For the Cullens, it’s all about doing what you love and doing it well.“We do it because we love it,” Lisa Cullen says. “It has never been our design to get too big because I think you lose that personal connection with the customer, and we like having that personal touch. I guess that’s why we’ve been in business for over 50 years.”