Christchurch is a city of diverse microclimates and challenging terrains. Designing a garden here means accounting for the steep, rocky slopes of Cashmere, the coastal salt spray of Sumner, and the specific drainage requirements of the flat, liquefaction-prone eastern suburbs. The five landscapers below are the ones we'd recommend to a Christchurch homeowner.
This page highlights the Top 5 landscapers in Christchurch, based on independent research into reputation, service quality, customer feedback and overall reliability.
The top 5 landscapers in Christchurch are 1. Goom Landscapes, 2. Dan Rutherford Landscapes, 3. Greenscapes, 4. Onlandscapes, 5. EPIC Landscape Design. Below we explain why each made the list, compare them at a glance, and share how to choose.
This featured position sits above the editorial Top 5 and is clearly labelled. It does not influence the rankings below.
Goom Landscapes is renowned for designing and building premium, award-winning outdoor living spaces. They're a strong choice for homeowners planning a high-end, design-led transformation rather than a simple tidy-up.
Dan Rutherford Landscapes are exceptional at turning steep, unusable banks into stunning, terraced outdoor living areas. They suit Christchurch properties on the Port Hills and Cashmere slopes where terrain is the main challenge.
Greenscapes is backed by the Registered Master Landscapers guarantee, ensuring top-tier professional standards. They're a reassuring choice for homeowners who want accredited quality and a guarantee behind the work.
Onlandscapes are experts in concrete block walls, stonework and specialised paving. They're a strong fit for hard-landscaping projects where structural retaining and quality stonework are central to the design.
EPIC Landscape Design has unmatched knowledge of which plants will thrive in Christchurch's specific frost and soil conditions. They suit homeowners who want a planting-led design that will actually establish and last in Canterbury's climate.
A quick comparison of our Top 5 picks.
| Landscaper | Best for |
|---|---|
| Goom Landscapes | Premium, design-led outdoor living |
| Dan Rutherford Landscapes | Steep sites and terracing |
| Greenscapes | Accredited, guaranteed workmanship |
| Onlandscapes | Retaining walls, stonework and paving |
| EPIC Landscape Design | Planting design suited to the local climate |
Independent, editorial, and reviewed regularly.
TopChoice rankings are editorially curated by our New Zealand team and reviewed periodically. We don't host our own reviews — our shortlists draw on public reputation signals from Google and other platforms, alongside our own research into each landscaper. We weigh up a combination of:
We don't accept payment in exchange for a place in the Top 5 — featured placements are separate and always clearly labelled. Rankings may change over time as businesses evolve.
Christchurch's varied terrain and climate mean the right landscaper depends on your site. A steep Port Hills section, a coastal Sumner garden and a flat eastern-suburbs property each call for different expertise — from terracing and retaining through to drainage and frost-hardy planting.
Decide whether you need design, construction, or both, and ask how the landscaper handles base prep, drainage and levels — that's where hard-landscaping projects most often go wrong. If budget is tight, ask whether the work can be staged so the structural elements go in first.
Basic soft landscaping on a flat section typically costs $10,000–$20,000. Projects including hard landscaping like custom timber decks, extensive paving and retaining walls range from $30,000 to $70,000+.
Generally, decks built lower than 1.5 metres don't require consent. However, Building Code adherence and local planning rules still apply, particularly regarding boundary placement and site coverage limits, so it's worth confirming before you build.
Autumn (March to May) is optimal. The soil remains warm from summer, encouraging root growth, while cooler temperatures reduce watering demands for newly planted specimens.
Landscapers typically handle design and construction — retaining walls, paving, decks, layout changes and planting plans. Gardeners usually focus on ongoing maintenance like mowing, pruning and weeding. Some Christchurch businesses offer both, but for a build you'll want a landscaper.
Sloping sites — common in Cashmere and the Port Hills — usually need retaining and terracing to create usable, level outdoor areas. This is structural work, so use a landscaper experienced in retaining walls and drainage, and expect engineering input for larger or higher walls.
Often, yes. A staged plan lets you prioritise the high-impact structural work first — levels, drainage, retaining and paths — then add planting, decking and finishing over time as budget allows, without redoing anything.
Editorial disclosure: TopChoice is an independent editorial platform. Some pages may include clearly labelled featured placements for additional visibility. Featured placements do not influence rankings within our Top 5 lists.
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