Business Details
Expert Sustainable Landscape Design in California
Sweet Smiling Landscapes creates landscapes and gardens that are as aesthetically intriguing as they are ecologically sound. Specializing in drought-tolerant landscapes, edible gardens, and California native plant design, we serve Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties. Our founder, Natasha Elliott, brings over two decades of experience as a licensed landscape contractor, EPA-certified Water Wise designer, and certified permaculture designer. With a background in sculpture and horticulture, she merges artistic vision with ecological principles to craft functional, sustainable outdoor spaces. We prioritize regenerative practices, including soil care, organic pest management, and fire-wise design, while offering comprehensive services from hardscape planning to edible landscaping.Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in our board memberships with the Central Coast Green Building Council and the American Institute of Architects' Committee on the Environment. Every project integrates multiple functions into plant selections, ensuring landscapes support local ecosystems while meeting client needs. We focus on water-wise and climate-adapted designs that reduce maintenance demands and enhance biodiversity. Our portfolio spans urban gardens, residential retreats, and educational landscapes, all tailored to California's unique environmental conditions. By blending artistry with ecological stewardship, we transform outdoor spaces into living works of art that benefit both people and the planet.
Services
Drought-Tolerant Landscapes
Edible Gardens
Native Plant Design
Sustainable Hardscape
Water Harvesting
Regenerative Design
Permaculture Planning
Soil Restoration
Fire-Wise Landscapes
Organic Pest Management
Highlights and features
- Certified permaculture and LEED landscape designers
- Specialists in California-native, drought-tolerant plant ecosystems
- 20+ years combining sculpture artistry with ecological design
- EPA-certified Water Wise and fire-wise landscape expertise
- Active leaders in regional green building councils
Associations and certifications
- California Landscape Contractors License C27
- LEED
- EPA Water Wise
- Permaculture Design Certificate
- Green Gardener
Services
Drought-Tolerant Landscapes
Our drought-tolerant landscapes use California-native plants adapted to local climate conditions. These designs reduce water consumption by 50-70% while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Each project incorporates soil amendments and efficient irrigation systems to create resilient ecosystems that thrive with minimal maintenance.
Edible Landscaping
We design edible landscapes integrating vegetables, herbs, and fruit-bearing plants into functional outdoor spaces. Our approach combines permaculture principles with artistic design to create year-round food sources. Projects include custom planting schemes, organic soil management, and companion planting strategies for optimal yields.
Native Plant Design
Specializing in California-native plant ecosystems, we create habitats that support local wildlife while reducing maintenance needs. Our designs follow ecological succession patterns to establish self-sustaining plant communities. This approach improves biodiversity and creates landscapes that evolve naturally with seasonal changes.
Regenerative Design
Our regenerative approach rebuilds soil health and hydrological cycles through organic practices. We implement compost systems, mycorrhizal inoculation, and biochar applications to restore degraded sites. Projects focus on carbon sequestration and creating living soils that support long-term ecological balance.
Fire-Wise Landscaping
We create fire-resilient landscapes using low-flammability plants and strategic zoning. Our designs incorporate defensible space principles while maintaining visual appeal. Services include fuel-break planning, ember-resistant plant selections, and creating survivable space around structures in wildfire-prone areas.
People
Natasha Elliott
LEED Landscape Designer
Natasha Elliott is a licensed landscape contractor with certifications in permaculture, Water Wise design, and Green Gardening. She taught landscape design at Santa Barbara City College for five years and serves on the Central Coast Green Building Council. Her background in sculpture informs her artistic approach to sustainable landscapes.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We specialize in landscape design for Central and Southern California, including Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties.
Do you work with residential clients?
Yes, we create custom landscapes for private homes ranging from small urban gardens to large estate properties.
What sustainable practices do you use?
Our practices include water conservation, native plant selection, organic soil management, and regenerative design principles to restore ecosystem health.
Can you redesign existing landscapes?
Yes, we offer complete landscape renovations including lawn removal, irrigation upgrades, and transforming conventional gardens into sustainable ecosystems.
What certifications do your designers hold?
Our lead designer holds LEED accreditation, EPA Water Wise certification, Permaculture Design Certificate, and Green Gardener qualifications.
How do you handle maintenance needs?
We provide maintenance guidelines tailored to each project, including organic pest management and seasonal care recommendations for long-term success.
Reviews (4)
Surf Happens
Jul 10, 2020
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We were tried of looking at a dead lawn in our front yard, but I was not sure what to do with the space. Natasha is very knowledgable about removing lawns in an environmentally responsible way. Beyond taking out the lawn she came up with a beautiful planting plan. She filled the space with drought tolerant plants and interesting edible plants. When I hang out with my sons while they play basketball in the drive way I love watching neighbors slow down and admire my garden. Add photos
Alia Intably
May 21, 2020
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Last year we hired Sweet Smiling Landscapes to design our front yard. We had a dated lawn that we wanted to turn into a more beautiful and sustainable space. We were very happy with how Natasha listened to our wants and needs and developed a plan to meet both. Our front yard now has everything I want, is water efficient and we have bees!
Hayley Fedders
Jan 03, 2020
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My husband and I recently bought a condo with a small yard. Since there was not a lot of space I wanted every moment to count. With Natasha recommendations we were able to turn our little plot of earth into a beautiful garden. I would highly recommend Sweet Smiling Landscapes.
Kiki Kiki
Dec 12, 2019
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I feel so lucky that I found Natasha of Sweet Smiling Landscaping to design my garden for me. I used to import home furnishings from Indonesia. I fell in love with the gardens in Bali. I kept some of the stone statues, lamps, and other garden accessories for myself. Whenever I returned home, and faced my pine-tree-dominated garden, I felt flat and empty. I loved the tropics where everything felt alive. I wanted that Bali feel for myself. Natasha also has a love of the tropics and has traveled extensively to tropical places, so she understood exactly what I wanted. She explained to me that some
