Business Details
41 Years
experience
Expert Landscape Design & Construction in Pasadena
Horizon Landscaping has been transforming outdoor spaces for 30 years with a commitment to quality craftsmanship and personalized service. Founded in 1985 by Tom Poplin, our team combines expertise in landscape design, construction, and maintenance to deliver tailored solutions for residential properties. Holding both a C-27 Landscape Contractors License and a California State 'B' General Building Contractors License, we specialize in creating Mediterranean, Japanese, and drought-tolerant gardens, alongside outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and water features. Our in-house team of seasoned professionals, some with over 20 years of experience, ensures seamless project execution from concept to completion. We prioritize sustainable practices, including water-efficient irrigation systems and native plant selections, while maintaining a focus on aesthetic harmony and functionality.Our portfolio includes award-winning projects at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Pasadena Showcase House of Design, reflecting our dedication to innovation and excellence. Customer satisfaction remains our top priority, as evidenced by our numerous five-star reviews and repeat clientele. With a deep understanding of local climates and soils, we provide enduring landscapes that enhance property value and client lifestyles. Our hands-on approach, from hand-drawn design plans to meticulous installation, ensures every project meets the highest standards of quality and artistry.
Services
Landscape Design
Outdoor Kitchens
Water Features
Irrigation Systems
Japanese Gardens
Concrete Driveways
Plant Installation
Pool Landscaping
Drought-Tolerant Gardens
Masonry Work
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We offer 30 years of experience in residential and commercial landscape design.
- Our in-house team handles all aspects from design to installation.
- Specialized in drought-tolerant and Japanese-style landscapes.
- Award-winning designs featured at Pasadena Showcase House of Design.
- Comprehensive services include irrigation, masonry, and outdoor kitchens.
Associations and certifications
- C-27 Landscape Contractors License
- California State 'B' General Building Contractors License
What people say
Stellar work
Excellent materials
Highly recommend
On time and budget
Flawless execution
Services
Landscape Design
Our landscape design service creates custom outdoor spaces tailored to your property's unique characteristics. Combining artistic vision with functional planning, we specialize in Mediterranean, Japanese, and drought-tolerant gardens. Each project begins with a detailed consultation to understand your preferences and budget, followed by hand-drawn design plans that incorporate hardscaping, plant selection, and water features. Our team ensures seamless implementation from concept to completion.
Outdoor Kitchens
We design and build premium outdoor kitchens that extend your living space while complementing your home's architecture. Our licensed contractors handle all aspects including plumbing, electrical work, and appliance installation. From custom cabinetry to stone countertops and high-end grill stations, we create functional culinary spaces perfect for entertaining. Every project integrates durable materials suited to California's climate.
Water Features
Our water features transform landscapes with soothing sounds and natural beauty. We construct custom ponds, waterfalls, and Japanese-style water basins using premium materials like 45 mil EPDM liners and natural stone. Each design incorporates energy-efficient pumps and biological filtration systems for low-maintenance operation. From small courtyard fountains to large estate waterfalls, our team ensures perfect integration with surrounding landscapes.
Irrigation Systems
We design and install water-efficient irrigation systems that conserve resources while maintaining healthy landscapes. Our certified technicians specialize in drip irrigation conversions and smart controller programming. Services include system evaluations, repairs, and complete installations using Netafim and Rain Bird components. We optimize water distribution for diverse plant types while complying with local conservation regulations.
Japanese Gardens
Our Japanese garden designs incorporate traditional elements like stone arrangements, bonsai-inspired plantings, and tranquil water features. With over 25 years of experience, we create authentic spaces that reflect Zen Buddhist principles. Services include custom boulder placement, dry riverbed design, and integration of native plants. Each project balances aesthetics with meditative functionality, transforming ordinary yards into peaceful retreats.
People
Tom Poplin
Owner/Founder
Tom Poplin founded Horizon Landscaping in 1985 after studying art at Pasadena Community College. With over 30 years of experience in landscape design and construction, he specializes in Japanese gardens and water features. His work has been featured in Sunset Magazine and at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design. Tom personally oversees all projects, ensuring quality craftsmanship and client satisfaction.
Questions
What types of landscape projects do you specialize in?
We specialize in residential and commercial landscape design and construction, including drought-tolerant gardens, Japanese-style landscapes, outdoor kitchens, water features, and complete property makeovers.
Are you licensed and insured for large projects?
Yes, we hold a C-27 Landscape Contractors License and a California State 'B' General Building Contractors License, with full insurance coverage for all project sizes.
Do you offer design-only services?
We offer landscape consultations and full design plans, including hand-drawn blueprints with plant specifications and hardscape details for both large and small projects.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Pasadena, Altadena, San Marino, La Canada, and Monrovia, with experience in both urban and hillside properties throughout Southern California.
Can you help with water conservation projects?
Yes, we specialize in drought-tolerant landscaping, drip irrigation systems, and California native plant installations that reduce water usage by up to 60% compared to traditional lawns.
How do you handle project timelines and communication?
We provide detailed project schedules with regular progress updates, maintaining direct communication with clients throughout each phase from design to final walkthrough.
Reviews (4)
Leann P.
Aug 26, 2017
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Be very cautious when you see Horizon Landscape trucks on the road they will nearly run you over very crazy driving. Actually really terrible driving there really frightened me. Beware folks Horizon Landscape trucks you need to pull over for them and let them go around you.
Fan R.
Aug 18, 2017
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We redid our mid century backyard concrete patio recently. Tom, the owner, has a great design sense, is enthusiastic, honest and diligent. He was on the job site everyday supervising his men. Every detail was considered. The crew was very mindful of my property. Tom's experience with concrete is considerable and the final result was excellent. Will definitely have Tom return to do other work.
Melissa L.
Sep 19, 2012
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Horizon Landscaping is a great company. I hired them for a small project in my backyard and like the way that Tom Poplin did business. His team and his forman were especially helpful. Usually you can hire some people and a team shows up that doesn't speak English and you never see the owner but with Horizon, the forman, Matt was helpful and on the job daily. They did great work and I have hired them on to re-landscape a large portion of my backyard and I loved the results.
Jose D.
Mar 12, 2009
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Tom and Lisbeth are the owners of this company. They are professional enough to show up on time and schedule their work properly. Tom knows his plants and he knows his landscaping. They are not cheap but they deliver. So why two stars off my review? Our problem with them is that it was really hard to move them away from a standard they have stuck to. We wanted a xeriscape, water efficient garden of mostly native plants.
They delivered an asian-themed garden as their project. You can check their website to see how this is mostly their style so I guess this is a company that can stand by what they show in their portfolio but lacks imagination to listen to clients and try new things. Bottom line, we had to extract concessions to our original plan. It is obvious that most clients are pleased with their approach here in Pasadena but we were a little more environmentally conscious that most clients and in the end we ended up with a mixed bag. The second star off was due to some inflexibility regarding the final price of our project and an overly inflated price-tag put on the value of consultations and drawings.
They delivered an asian-themed garden as their project. You can check their website to see how this is mostly their style so I guess this is a company that can stand by what they show in their portfolio but lacks imagination to listen to clients and try new things. Bottom line, we had to extract concessions to our original plan. It is obvious that most clients are pleased with their approach here in Pasadena but we were a little more environmentally conscious that most clients and in the end we ended up with a mixed bag. The second star off was due to some inflexibility regarding the final price of our project and an overly inflated price-tag put on the value of consultations and drawings.
