Luis Cadiz, President/Owner

“Even as a boy, I would look at a property and try to figure out ways to improve the space and how one can improve the value and use of the property.”

Avalon Landscape, Inc.

13547 Ventura Blvd. Suite 151 Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 | 818-981-0452 | avalonlandscaping.com

Avalon Landscape specializes in the installation of gardens and outdoor living spaces, including ponds, stone work, irrigation, erosion control, block walls and the lost art of tree pruning. Owner Luis Cadiz graduated from the University of California, Berkeley graduate with a degree in forestry/botany and worked for the U.S. Forest Service before opening his own business more than 30 years ago. Luis has been creating beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces ever since. He is a certified arborist from the renowned International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and a current member of the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)— highly-esteemed organizations in the professional development and education of tree care.

What’s most rewarding about your work?

“Improving a property and increasing the quality of life for our customers by creating a lifestyle conducive to the California dream. Increasing the value of the property with a limited budget is challenging but always satisfying when we exceed client expectations.”

What are some of the challenges you face keeping outdoor areas looking lush and beautiful with our typically dry climate?

“Besides the limited water, the dry Santa Ana winds pose a problem. Design and proper plant selection and placement is critical. We are excited to introduce the homeowner to a very attractive garden conducive to our Mediterranean climate: think Montecito, Santa Barbara, Tuscany.”

What is the most popular home improvement trend your customers ask for?

“The fire pit and water features such as ponds and fountains. Also, decomposed granite walks and patios and the replacement of thirsty, high-maintenance lawns with crushed gravel, layers of privacy hedges, utilizing drought-tolerant plants and succulents, or groves of fruit trees and vegetable and herb gardens—what I call the useable, sustainable garden.”

How do you stay on top of the latest trends and advances in your field?

“My wife is a designer and Realtor. We enjoy looking at open houses of finely designed homes. Attending trade shows helps in the technical advances in our field, but the best design ideas come from experience and inspiration from our travels.”

Any tips for starting a gardening/landscaping project?

“Keep it simple. Create a functional design you can use and enjoy. Avoid the DIY designs you see on home improvement TV that have small yards packed with 15 different things.”