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Beginning in the late 70's in the Pacific Northwest, and continuing since 1984 in Santa Barbara,   Lori Ann David has consistently developed a broad yet unique style drawing on over 30 years experience in diverse horticultural pursuits and special projects. She is well known for her wide-ranging work in all types of gardens and grounds, as well as her famous work with Topiary.

Her work synthesizes the colors, shapes, forms, and textures that surround us in our organic world.   Her personal five-acre estate/ranch and gardens, “Casa de Los Angelitos”   has become a featured architectural and horticultural showcase for a variety of styles and unique features of her work, including her ever present work of combining beauty and foodin her division “ Eat Your Yard™” and the fabulous “Flower Salads ”.

Lori Ann has drawn on her life experiences as an algae aqua-culturist, organic farmer/producer in livestock and poultry, vegetables, fruits, berries, herb crops/products, both field and greenhouse flowers. Her love of botany and horticulture has been a life pursuit both in research and application. Ornamentals alongside beautiful food, in every range/style/variety of climate and setting, have been her art pallet. She is a highly sought after construction consultant, landscape designer, and licensed contractor (C-27). She frequently acts as interior/exterior designer/consultant for a client's complete project. She is a truly creative and accomplished designer/contractor/artist, with many of her gardens and sacred spaces receiving awards

  

Some of her recent projects have included restoration/design of the historic Topiary Garden at Lotusland, a full-size maze forest, an aloe/agave/ornamental grass garden, many true working edible yards, several retreat/event centers, condominium complexes, residential and estate renovations, as well as several mixed use urban projects. LAD also constructs/develops a variety of metal sculptures that include topiary frames, sometimes also in stone/ceramic/glass mosaic, and huge rolling “Lawn Balls” and moveable mazes.   She and her team are also known for cutting lawns into all kinds of patterns and designs. Ms. David's work also includes special concern areas such as sensitive plant communities and habitat areas, re-forestation (in progress/Mayan forest in Belize at “El Pilar”), allergen plants and pollinators, wetlands, and special impact areas.

Lori Ann loves to motivate and inspire others, and continues to teach classes and workshops in landscape design, topiary, floral design, herbs and their many uses, wreath making, and organic gardening.


She has taught at UCSB, Cal Poly, UCLA, and also lectures for horticultural conferences, garden/flower shows, and many clubs and organizations. She has also been a volunteer docent at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (California native plants) since ‘91, Lotusland (richly diverse tropical/exotic plants) since ‘94, and is a UCCE Master Gardener since '92.

Her interface with other contractors, architects, designers and artists allows for greater resonance in creativity and completion. Ms. David has also collaborated/renovated and run a successful retail nursery, and worked with specialty garden companies on products, garden buildings, and soil products, specializing in organic compost.
 
Lori Ann works with each client's individually unique set of needs/desires and tailors each new challenge within the framework of time, budget, and maintenance outcome to create a garden or landscape of exceptional longevity and beauty.   Whether it is a special patio, a small 12' by 12' Japanese garden or 17 acres of Formal Park, each project has her complete focus. While some projects only require a few days, and carefully planned budget, others may require a long-term retainer and continuous involvement; all are given Lori Ann's utmost love and attention.