ELM acquires Holmes Landscape Company

Holmes Landscape Company was founded by Larry Holmes in 1974 and provides commercial landscape maintenance and tree care services to the Oceanside, California, area.

Enhanced Landscape Management, a subsidiary of Landscape Development, Inc., has completed the purchase of Holmes Landscape Company in Oceanside, California on March 1, 2024. Holmes Landscape Company was founded by Larry Holmes in 1974 and developed an exceptional reputation over the years — providing commercial landscape maintenance and tree care services.

“There were many factors I had to consider after deciding to sell my company. My team of valued employees and the clients we have served for many years needed to be left in good hands,” says Holmes. “As we came to know ELM and how they operate and conduct business, I decided that they were the right fit to give myself, my employees and clients peace of mind now and in the future.”

“An opportunity such as this does not come along very often. Holmes has an outstanding reputation, a 50-year legacy and over 130 talented landscape professionals that we added to our organization. Our company cultures, values and ways of doing business align,” says ELM President Ron Reitz. “We also open a new market for us in the San Diego area which has been a goal of ours for quite some time. This creates tremendous opportunities for all our team members as we continue to grow.”

“Holmes Landscape Company built an excellent reputation in the San Diego Market and like LDI, is committed to providing its clients peace of mind,” says Mark Crutcher, LDI’s President and CEO. “Holmes is known for high quality work, extraordinary responsiveness to its clients’ needs, and a strong employee team. We are very excited to welcome the Holmes management team and field workforce of over 130 employees with the experience and knowledge they bring into the LDI family.”

“This is an excellent addition to our maintenance business,” says LDI Founder and Executive Board Chairman, Gary Horton. “We expand our reach of landscape maintenance and tree care services into the San Diego region as we continue to deliver our full suite of services to our ever-expanding client base. ELM continues to pursue acquisition opportunities throughout California and the Western States as we execute our maintenance segment growth strategy.”

“I thank all our leadership and entire staff who, working collaboratively, have made our rapid growth both possible and profitable,” Horton adds.

Larry Holmes will remain with the company through the integration process and HLC Vice President, Lee Frank, will continue to oversee the local operations as part of the ELM management team. Gary Horton founded LDI in 1983. The company currently operates from 13 regional offices throughout California and Southern Nevada and employs over 1,300 industry professionals.