The Montecito Landscape Difference
For over 50 years, Montecito Landscape has been creating beautiful gardens in Santa Barbara, Montecito, Malibu and beyond.
When you call for a FREE Home Garden Consultation (805-969-3984) we take the time to find out what you need and want and tailor-make a landscape design to suit you and your lifestyle.
We do it this way because, for us, nothing is more fun than visiting people's gardens, getting to know them, and envisioning how to take their landscape from ordinary to extraordinary. Life is about the journey, and for us, this is our journey. The earth is our canvas and landscape design is our passion.
When we create a more beautiful, more usable landscape and outdoor living environment for our clients we are enhancing their quality of life and giving them a little peace of mind, enjoyment, appreciation of nature, and joy.
Yes, we can tell you that as design/build contractors we design and install landscapes with our own crew of highly skilled artisans. As trained horticulturists and arborists, we have over 50 years of experience and we KNOW what works and what doesn't.
But in the end, we are designing for our clients, for you. A landscape, a garden is a place to experience, enjoy and celebrate the beauty of outdoor living and nature. What is the Montecito Landscape difference? It’s about the joy, the joy in creating a more beautiful world one garden at a time.
Call today (805) 969-3984, for a Free Home Garden Consultation and discover the Montecito Landscape Difference for yourself. We look forward to meeting you. And until then, fill your garden with joy.
About the owners
Chris Cullen, Founder and Chief Creative Officer
Coming from a family of artists Chris flourished as a sculpture as well as a musician, opening for The Beach Boys, Sonny and Cher, The Kinks, Glen Cambell and others. When he came to Montecito, he began singing jazz at some of Montecito’s iconic venues such as The Miramar and The Olive Mill Bistro. During that same period of time, he had a commercial acting and modeling career, being cast in various print and television commercials, films and stage productions.
But neither the allure and love of music nor the bright lights of Hollywood could keep Chris from his real passion: the love of nature and creating beautiful gardens. He trained at Saratoga Horticultural Foundation and apprenticed at Foothill and DeAnza Colleges in Northern California before launching Montecito Landscape in 1970. His background in fine art, horticulture and over 50 years as a licensed contractor enable him to bring art to life in every garden he touches. We think Chris describes it best: “The earth is my canvas”.
Lisa Cullen, Designer, organic gardener, and mind behind the scenes
Lisa spent her younger years as a professional artist and bohemian spirit. Her jewelry and clothing designs captured the flavor of the ancient world with a modern flair and she was well known for her distinctive style. She had a short foray into acting landing a small part in a John Wayne movie as well as a number of television commercials. She created one-of-a-kind works of art for notable collectors such as interior designers George G. Frelinghuysen and Tony Duquette. Her pieces were featured in Forrest Fenn Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico at at Sotheby’s in New York.
A life-long organic gardener, she’s a nature-girl at heart and is the mind behind the scenes.
Leana Finley, Office Manager and Nature’s Concierge
Leana’s years of experience working for contractors, combined with her sunny perkiness, make her the perfect fit for Montecito Landscape and our clientele. Multi-talented, as we all are at Montecito Landscape, in her off time Leana is a world champion pool player and exceptional athlete, frequently breaking 80 in her golf game.
She is a master at diagnosing and programing irrigation systems and her attention to detail is crucial to Montecito Landscape’s impeccable reputation and success. For over 15 years, Leana has been the cheery personality on the other side of the phone and computer. Billed as “Nature’s Concierge” she is indeed an integral part of the Difference that is Montecito Landscape.