Best Landscape Design in Christchurch: 5 Exceptional Experts for Stunning Outdoor Spaces
Transforming your outdoor space begins with finding the best landscape design in Christchurch, where creativity, expertise, and local knowledge combine to craft gardens that enhance your lifestyle and property value. Christchurch’s unique climate and fertile soils make it an ideal canvas for lush, functional landscapes, from modern urban gardens to sprawling rural estates. This guide highlights five outstanding landscape design companies renowned for their innovative designs, sustainable practices, and commitment to turning your vision into reality.
Whether you’re dreaming of a low-maintenance courtyard, a vibrant family garden, or a sophisticated outdoor entertaining area, these professionals deliver tailored solutions that thrive in Canterbury’s conditions. Ready to elevate your outdoor living? Explore our curated list of Christchurch’s top landscape designers and start creating your dream garden today.
1. Forever Green
About the Business
Forever Green, established in 1987, is a cornerstone of Christchurch’s landscaping industry, known for designing and building stunning residential and commercial landscapes across Canterbury. With over three decades of experience, this family-oriented company combines horticultural expertise with a client-focused approach, creating outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and practical. Their in-house nursery and dedicated design team ensure every project reflects the client’s lifestyle while harmonizing with the local environment.
Key Services / What They Offer
Forever Green provides comprehensive landscape design and construction services, including concept development, planting plans, hardscaping (decks, patios, and pergolas), and softscaping (lawns, gardens, and trees). They specialize in a range of styles, from formal classical gardens to contemporary native designs, and offer ongoing maintenance to keep landscapes thriving. Their services also include irrigation systems, outdoor lighting, and custom features like water elements or fire pits, tailored to residential homes, lifestyle blocks, or commercial properties.
Who It’s For
Ideal for homeowners seeking bespoke gardens, businesses needing professional outdoor spaces, and property developers requiring cohesive landscaping for subdivisions. It’s perfect for those who value a full-service approach from design to completion.
What to Expect
Expect a collaborative process starting with an in-depth consultation to understand your needs, lifestyle, and budget. Forever Green’s designers create detailed plans, incorporating plant selections suited to Christchurch’s climate and soil conditions, such as drought-tolerant natives or lush exotics. Their construction team handles all aspects of implementation, ensuring precision and quality. Clients receive regular updates, and the result is a cohesive, functional outdoor space that enhances daily living, with maintenance plans available to ensure longevity.
Standout Features
- In-house nursery for high-quality, locally grown plants.
- Over 30 years of experience in Christchurch’s unique conditions.
- Full-service design and build, from concept to maintenance.
- Specializes in diverse styles, including native and contemporary designs.
- Eco-friendly practices, including sustainable irrigation systems.
Customer Feedback
Clients praise Forever Green’s professionalism and creativity. One homeowner said, “Geoff and the team transformed our backyard into a perfect entertainment area. Their plant knowledge and attention to detail were outstanding.” Another noted, “The project was finished ahead of schedule, and the garden looks better every year.” Their high ratings reflect their reliability and ability to exceed expectations.
Why Choose Them?
Forever Green delivers personalized, high-quality landscapes with a deep understanding of Christchurch’s environment, ensuring stunning, sustainable outdoor spaces that last.
Location & Contact Details
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Website: egn.co.nz
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2. Epic Landscape Design
About the Business
Epic Landscape Design, led by Registered Master Landscaper Luke Robertson, is a Christchurch-based firm with a passion for creating lush, contemporary landscapes that reflect clients’ personalities. Since 1997, Luke has built a reputation for his horticultural expertise and innovative designs, specializing in textured, functional gardens that maximize outdoor spaces. His commitment to quality and client collaboration makes Epic a standout in the industry.
Key Services / What They Offer
Epic offers bespoke landscape design, including planting plans, full hard and soft landscaping, and plant sourcing. Services cover consultations, site surveys, concept designs, and detailed plans with plant lists tailored to soil and climate. They specialize in residential gardens, from small urban plots to large estates, and provide options for low-maintenance or architectural plantings. Additional services include project management and coordination with contractors for seamless implementation.
Who It’s For
Perfect for homeowners wanting a personalized garden, those with specific aesthetic preferences, and clients seeking a designer with deep plant knowledge to enhance their outdoor living.
What to Expect
Expect a thorough process beginning with a consultation where Luke explores your ideas, lifestyle, and site conditions. He provides a detailed brief and fee proposal, followed by a preliminary concept and final design plan. Designs incorporate hardscaping (paving, walls) and softscaping (plants, trees) suited to Christchurch’s sunny, windy climate. Luke’s horticultural background ensures plants thrive, and his hands-on approach guarantees your vision is realized, whether you want a vibrant cottage garden or a sleek modern space.
Standout Features
- Led by a Registered Master Landscaper with over 25 years of experience.
- Specializes in lush, textured designs with architectural plants.
- Personalized plant sourcing for quality and suitability.
- Focus on maximizing small or challenging spaces.
- Collaborative process with detailed, client-focused plans.
Customer Feedback
Clients love Luke’s creativity and expertise. One said, “Luke’s design was stunning and perfectly suited our home. His plant choices transformed our garden.” Another shared, “He worked within our budget without compromising our must-haves. The result is breathtaking.” Epic’s reviews highlight their ability to deliver unique, high-quality designs.
Why Choose Them?
Epic Landscape Design crafts inspired, personality-driven gardens with unmatched horticultural expertise, ensuring a beautiful, functional outdoor space tailored to you.
Location & Contact Details
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Website: epiclandscapes.co.nz
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3. One Square Rate Landscaping
About the Business
One Square Rate Landscaping is a Christchurch-based company offering end-to-end landscaping solutions, from design to construction and hydroseeding. Known for their professional approach and ability to handle projects of all scales, they combine landscape architecture with practical expertise to create cohesive, aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces. Their focus on client satisfaction and local knowledge makes them a trusted name in Canterbury.
Key Services / What They Offer
One Square Rate provides landscape design services, including scale drawings, planting plans, and hardscaping layouts for new builds or garden redesigns. They offer hydroseeding for lawns, construction of patios, fences, and water features, and developer-approved plans for subdivisions. Their services also include project management, plant selection, and maintenance advice, ensuring designs are practical and sustainable in Christchurch’s climate.
Who It’s For
Suitable for homeowners redesigning gardens, developers needing compliant landscaping plans, and those seeking a full-service company to manage both design and build phases.
What to Expect
Expect a detailed consultation with a qualified landscape architect who assesses your property and preferences. They deliver comprehensive design plans, including plant specifications, material choices, and itemized quotes for in-house construction. Designs balance aesthetics with functionality, using plants that thrive in Canterbury’s fertile soils and sunny conditions. Their team ensures timely execution, with clear communication throughout, resulting in a garden that’s both beautiful and easy to maintain.
Standout Features
- Full-service design and construction with in-house teams.
- Expertise in hydroseeding for lush, durable lawns.
- Developer-approved plans for new subdivisions.
- Focus on sustainable, low-maintenance designs.
- Itemized quotes for transparency and flexibility.
Customer Feedback
Customers appreciate the quality and service, with one saying, “The team turned our bare section into a private oasis. The design was spot-on, and the work was flawless.” Another noted, “Their hydroseeding gave us a perfect lawn, and the process was so smooth.” Reviews emphasize their professionalism and ability to deliver on promises.
Why Choose Them?
One Square Rate Landscaping offers seamless, high-quality design and build services, creating practical, stunning landscapes tailored to Christchurch’s unique environment.
Location & Contact Details
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Website: onesquarerate.co.nz
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4. Lifestyle Landscape Solutions
About the Business
Lifestyle Landscape Solutions, led by qualified Landscape Architect Patrick Wray, is a Christchurch firm dedicated to innovative and sustainable landscape design. With a focus on pushing creative boundaries, they craft gardens that blend modern trends with ecological benefits, such as pollinator-friendly plantings or low-carbon designs. Their client-centric approach ensures every project is a unique reflection of the homeowner’s desires and lifestyle.
Key Services / What They Offer
They offer detailed landscape design plans, including concept drawings, planting schemes, and construction specifications for council consents. Services cover garden makeovers, eco-friendly designs, and features like outdoor fires, water elements, or children’s play areas. They provide elevation drawings, plant lists with botanical names, and sustainable solutions like living walls or low-maintenance gardens, all tailored to Christchurch’s climate and soil conditions.
Who It’s For
Great for eco-conscious homeowners, families wanting functional outdoor spaces, and those seeking cutting-edge designs that stand out in Christchurch’s neighborhoods.
What to Expect
Expect a creative, collaborative process starting with a consultation to explore your ideas and site challenges. Patrick delivers scale drawings with detailed planting plans, ensuring plants suit Canterbury’s sunny, windy conditions. Designs incorporate sustainable features like stormwater retention or native species to attract wildlife. The team provides guidance for construction or partners with contractors, delivering a garden that’s visually striking, healthy, and aligned with your vision.
Standout Features
- Specializes in sustainable, eco-friendly garden designs.
- Detailed plans with council-compliant specifications.
- Innovative features like living walls and pollinator gardens.
- Focus on modern, trend-forward aesthetics.
- Personalized service with a qualified landscape architect.
Customer Feedback
Clients commend the creativity and professionalism, with one saying, “Patrick’s design brought our garden to life with native plants and a water feature we love.” Another shared, “The eco-friendly approach was exactly what we wanted, and the result is stunning.” Reviews highlight their ability to balance innovation with practicality.
Why Choose Them?
Lifestyle Landscape Solutions delivers bold, sustainable designs that transform outdoor spaces into vibrant, eco-conscious sanctuaries tailored to your lifestyle.
Location & Contact Details
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Website: landscapingsolutions.co.nz
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5. Texture Plants
About the Business
Texture Plants, with over 40 years of experience, is a Christchurch-based landscape design and nursery business that treats every garden as a work of art. Their full-service team specializes in creating cohesive, functional landscapes that enhance how clients live, from playful family spaces to elegant entertaining areas. By growing their own plants, they ensure quality and suitability for Christchurch’s unique conditions, making them a trusted name in the industry.
Key Services / What They Offer
Texture Plants offers end-to-end landscape design, including consultations, site assessments, and detailed plans for hard and soft landscaping. They provide plant sourcing from their nursery, hardscaping (paving, decks, retaining walls), and ongoing maintenance services. Their designs range from architectural new builds to reimagined established gardens, with features like outdoor kitchens, fire pits, or native plantings to suit Canterbury’s climate.
Who It’s For
Ideal for homeowners wanting a cohesive garden, families needing playful or practical spaces, and those who value high-quality plants and long-term maintenance support.
What to Expect
Expect a hands-on process where designers visit your property, walk through their nursery with you, and discuss your lifestyle needs. They create designs that integrate existing elements with new features, using plants that thrive in Christchurch’s fertile soils and sunny climate. Their in-house team handles construction with precision, and maintenance services ensure your garden matures beautifully. The result is a space that feels personal, functional, and visually spectacular.
Standout Features
- Over 40 years of experience with an in-house nursery.
- Full-service team for design, build, and maintenance.
- Specializes in cohesive, lifestyle-driven landscapes.
- High-quality, locally grown plants for durability.
- Expertise in integrating hard and soft landscaping elements.
Customer Feedback
Clients love the personalized service, with one saying, “Texture Plants created a garden that feels like an extension of our home. The plants are thriving!” Another noted, “Their maintenance advice keeps our garden looking amazing year-round.” Reviews highlight their artistry and long-term commitment to clients.
Why Choose Them?
Texture Plants crafts stunning, enduring landscapes with a personal touch, leveraging their nursery and expertise to create spaces that elevate your outdoor living.
Location & Contact Details
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Website: textureplants.co.nz
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Conclusion: Find the Best Landscape Design in Christchurch for Your Dream Garden
Choosing the best landscape design in Christchurch transforms your outdoor space into a beautiful, functional extension of your home, tailored to thrive in Canterbury’s unique environment. These five exceptional companies offer innovative designs, sustainable practices, and unparalleled expertise, ensuring your garden reflects your lifestyle and enhances your property’s value. From lush native plantings to modern hardscaping, Christchurch’s top designers have you covered.
Ready to create your dream outdoor space? Contact one of these leading landscape design experts today to schedule a consultation and bring your vision to life. Your perfect garden awaits in the heart of the Garden City!
Helpful Information About Christchurch Landscape Design
Christchurch offers a unique environment for landscape design, with its temperate climate, fertile soils, and a mix of urban and rural settings. Whether you’re redesigning a backyard in Riccarton, developing a new garden in Cashmere, or installing sustainable landscaping in Waimairi Beach, working with a professional landscape designer ensures your outdoor space thrives year-round. These experts help create functional, beautiful spaces that reflect your lifestyle and complement the natural surroundings.
Landscape design in Christchurch often incorporates native New Zealand plants, drought-tolerant species, and modern outdoor features like fire pits, pergolas, and entertaining areas. From the Port Hills to the flat Canterbury Plains, experienced designers consider wind patterns, sun exposure, and soil type to tailor solutions for each site. Whether you’re in Rolleston, Merivale, or Redcliffs, choosing the right landscape professional can increase your property’s value and enhance your everyday living.
Choosing the Right Landscape Design in Christchurch
- Look for local experience: Choose a designer familiar with Christchurch’s climate, soil conditions, and common challenges such as wind exposure or drought conditions.
- Check past projects: Review portfolios or visit previous gardens in suburbs like Fendalton or Sumner to see a designer’s style and quality of work.
- Ask about plant knowledge: Ensure your landscape designer understands native and exotic plant species suited for areas like Canterbury’s dry summers or shaded hillside gardens.
- Consider your lifestyle needs: Whether it’s a family-friendly lawn, an entertainment area, or a low-maintenance garden, choose a designer who can tailor solutions to your daily routine.
- Inquire about full-service options: Some companies offer end-to-end design, build, and maintenance, which can streamline your project from concept to completion.
- Understand council requirements: If you’re planning larger features or new builds, work with a designer who can provide council-compliant plans and guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christchurch Landscape Design
What should I look for in a landscape designer in Christchurch?
Look for a professional with experience in Canterbury’s climate, a strong portfolio of previous work, and a collaborative design approach. It’s important they understand local plant species and can design for durability, beauty, and function.
How much does landscape design cost in Christchurch?
Costs vary depending on project size, complexity, and the services required. Basic design plans may start around a few hundred dollars, while full design-build projects including hardscaping and planting can range into the thousands.
Do I need council consent for landscaping work?
In most cases, general landscaping does not require consent, but certain elements like retaining walls, drainage changes, or large structures may need approval. A qualified landscape designer will advise you based on the Christchurch City Council regulations.
What plants work best in Christchurch gardens?
Plants that tolerate sun, wind, and dry conditions often thrive, including New Zealand natives like Hebes, Flaxes, and Griselinia. Designers also incorporate exotics like lavender, succulents, or ornamental grasses for texture and seasonal interest.
How long does a typical landscaping project take?
Timeframes depend on project scope, with smaller garden makeovers taking 2–4 weeks and larger design-build projects extending over several months. Weather, plant availability, and design complexity can also impact the timeline.