Kona Land & Water Escapes

We found Kona Landscape online while googling "Bamboo" to have planted as a privacy border since we were putting in a new pool. They were the first thing that came up in the search, so I assumed I'd have to keep scrolling and review. After each thing I looked at, we would go back to Kona because of their "desert acclimated" strain of bamboo. I'll just say, the website doesn't do it justice, it just can't show you what you'll actually get!

We were already so impressed with the pool itself, so we couldn't imagine how Kona Land and Water Escapes could impress us any more. We were wrong. 

Lenny and Julie met us the day after we spoke with them, and took us to the greenhouse where they grow the bamboo. Obviously it's a growing place, so not impressive other than the size of the bamboo, but that's to be expected (some reviews on some sites have complained that it's not an "office"). Without us giving them any notice, they offered to follow us home to assess the pool and its surroundings. Lenny immediately started mentioning ideas of what Kona could do. We then made arrangements to have a follow up meeting and make some decisions, etc. They sent someone a couple days later to take photos of the existing yard, which I assume they used to help them create a customized design for us. Just a few days later, we met again to discuss (they came to our house with a few proposals), and we were surprised that they had made a video with what the yard "could" look like. We were amazed! It was so far beyond what we had expected, we kept thinking It would be way out of our price range. After the video came three options. We went with the middle option plus a few add-ons, AND Kona threw in several extras! The overall price was much more reasonable then we feared it would be.

Starting day was just one week later! Not only did they show up everyday, they finished on schedule. There were several meetings with Lenny during the process, and he made time to meet with us when we requested several adjustments (some after initial planting had begun, since one of us is VERY picky!). We were accommodated every step of the way!

In the end, we have the Desert Oasis we wanted, and MORE! Be careful reading reviews (as always), and remember that these reviews come from the general public, and they are not always reasonable! We definitely highly recommend them! When we had our pool opening party with a bunch of neighbors and friends, everyone was amazed how tropical everything looked, and several asked us where we got the landscaping work done - Kona Land and Water Escapes. We even ended up going with their bi-weekly maintenance service.

These guys did okay when they were here, but they dragged the job on, did not return phone calls in a prompt fashion and denied responsibility when a problem occurred.

We purchase a home in the stonegate community in May of 2011 to get away from the Canadian winter. The house was exactly what we looked for, however the garden was non exstient. There was one big tree and other than that a blank wall and grass. Lenny Clark was referred to us by our realtor. We met Lenny and explained that we would like an oasis in our back yard and properly landscaped and not see the wall,as well as re doing the patio which consisted of Mexican tile for part of it and the other part was covered with cold stone around the fairly large pool. Lenny knew exactly what we wanted and the chemistry was right and we felt that he really understood our wishes. We came back in November of 2011 and he truly created a paradise. The landscaping was magnificent, the flagstone all around the house and the waterfall which they had built was fantastic. What is most admirable is the fact that we were not here to supervise or check up on them and they truly created what we were looking for. In 2012 Kona Landscaping changed some of the front garden as well and has maintained our property ever since. They treat our garden as if it was their own. I am sure they would have been less expensive alternatives, however you get what you pay for. We are happy and can only highly recommend Lenny and his dedicated crew. Karin and Rene Van Haren

If your a professional babysitter with a need have to watch an unprofessional, lazy, over priced landscape company perform like a circus act, look no further!

They claim they design your lawn based on Feng Shui but I did not see any evidence they had any understanding of Feng Shui.

Lenny and crew were on time, responsive and did quality work. They met all of our expectations and more.

Kona was professional, friendly and reasonable on pricing. Would recommend them for bamboo and water features.

We met owner to go over project design. Came from Kona after we told them what we are looking for. Project was handled in our absence which is remarkable. The outcome fantastic. Not the cheapest but worth it.

Lenny and his crew finished the job in about a week promised. Completion was for 2 and half weeks.

Kona did a very good job. They were on time, in fact early. They completed everything on schedule. They were very professional. When a tree split and died, he replaced it. All that is the good part. And ultimately, that's really all that matters. But, I had to put up with some stuff that others should be aware of. In a nutshell, Lenny is a high pressure sales person. Lenny first bid was very high. But I knew it was a slow time of year for him so I negotiated him down to a more reasonable price. Along the way he told me about his many scuba diving trips he takes every year to various islands around the world. (He must make a ton of money to take these trips so often.) Lenny was selling me something every day. Prior to signing the contract I told him I wanted a low maintenance yard. He said that would not be a problem. He said I would need about 85 tons of rock based on what I wanted to do. First of all, I don't think I got 85 tons. There are bare patches, albeit only a few. When he was about half finished he told me that if I want it to look nice I will need more plants because 40 plants would just not be enough. But if I didn't care how it looks, then I could leave it as is. Next I was told that I would need pre-emergent on the rock so that weeds don't come up. He told me that would normally cost about $900 but since he was already out and had to water down the rock any way, he would only charge me $650. After asking around, I found the price should be about $250 - $300. And Lenny told me I would need it every six months if I didn't want to be out there everyday pulling weeds. Other companies told me only once per year would be plenty. That was confirmed by friends. Next he told me that my plants would need a lot of maintenance. (Rewind to "low maintenance" plants earlier.) He would be able to come out once a month and trim my plants for "only $125" per month. Well, the plants don't need trimming, at least not yet. Next he told me that I need lights on my trees and plants and that he would be happy to quote me on that. If I don't do it, then they won't be seen at night and I would have wasted my money in putting them in. Then, I was told I have to call him when I build my pool because, since he did the landscaping, he would know what kind of pool to put in for me. When one of my trees in the front yard split and died, he replaced it with another beautiful tree. And he did it quickly and very well. But after he replaced it I received a phone call from him and I had to put up with a lecture ... almost a reprimand ... that the tree was destroyed by wind damage. He did not want to hear that we very little wind and that no other tree was damaged and that maybe this tree was weak in the first place. No, I was told that he would replace a tree this time but if it happens again, he won't replace it. I felt that he talked down to me like I was a kid, not a customer whom he would like to get referrals from or someone he was really concerned about pleasing. Overall, the landscaping looks very good and I am happy with it. I just don't think I would put up with Lenny again. If you hire him, don't let him up sell you on all the things you "need".

THEY ALWAYS CALLED US THE NIGHT BEFORE THEY WERE GOING TO BE AT OUR HOUSE. THEY WERE VERY SENSITIVE TO OUR CONCERNS FOR OUR DOGS' SAFETY. THEY FINISHED THE JOB IN A TIMELY FASHION.

THEY ALWAYS CALLED US THE NIGHT BEFORE THEY WERE GOING TO BE AT OUR HOUSE. THEY WERE VERY SENSITIVE TO OUR CONCERNS FOR OUR DOGS' SAFETY. THEY FINISHED THE JOB IN A TIMELY FASHION.