Landscaping in Dunedin isn't just about making a garden look nice — it's about building outdoor spaces that handle Otago weather, tricky ground, drainage, and long-term wear. The five landscapers below are the ones we'd recommend to a Dunedin homeowner.
This page highlights the Top 5 landscapers in Dunedin, based on independent research into reputation, service quality, customer feedback and overall reliability.
The top 5 landscapers in Dunedin are 1. TJR Groundworks, 2. Artscapes Landscaping, 3. Ashford Landscaping, 4. New Look Landscapes, 5. Landscape Rescuer LTD. 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.
TJR Groundworks is a family-owned Dunedin landscaping business that emphasises concept planning and design. They suit homeowners who want a considered, design-led project from the ground up.
Artscapes Landscaping is a residential landscaping partner for Dunedin and Otago, highlighting over 20 years of industry knowledge. They suit homeowners who value deep experience and a proven track record.
Ashford Landscaping is a Dunedin landscaper with a clear service menu including design, construction, planting and maintenance. Their full-service offering suits homeowners who want one provider end to end.
New Look Landscapes offers both landscaping and landscape design for residential and commercial clients. They suit a range of projects from home gardens to larger commercial sites.
Landscape Rescuer is a Mosgiel-based landscaping business servicing Dunedin and the wider Otago region. They're a practical local choice for homeowners across the area.
A quick comparison of our Top 5 picks.
| Landscaper | Best for |
|---|---|
| TJR Groundworks | Design-led landscaping projects |
| Artscapes Landscaping | Experienced residential landscaping |
| Ashford Landscaping | Full-service design through to maintenance |
| New Look Landscapes | Residential and commercial landscaping |
| Landscape Rescuer LTD | Dunedin and wider Otago coverage |
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.
Dunedin's hilly terrain, cold winters and variable drainage mean the right landscaper depends on your site. Sloping sections often need retaining and terracing, while flatter sites may need drainage work — so it pays to choose a landscaper experienced with conditions like yours.
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.
It depends on the area size, how much hardscaping is involved, access, and site prep needs. Request itemised quotes confirming removal, prep, edging and finishing details, and get a couple with the same scope so you can compare fairly.
Choose a maintenance provider for mowing and ongoing upkeep. Select a landscaping contractor for layout changes, retaining walls, paths, patios or redesigns. Some businesses offer both, but for a build you'll want a landscaper.
Common inclusions are labour, materials, site prep and disposal. Irrigation, drainage improvements and electrical work are typically excluded unless specified, so confirm exactly what's covered before you commit.
Many Dunedin properties sit on hillsides, and sloping sites usually need retaining and terracing to create usable, level areas. This is structural work, so use a landscaper experienced with retaining walls and drainage, and expect engineering input for larger or higher walls.
Autumn and early spring are generally best, giving plants time to establish before the extremes of summer dryness or winter cold. Your landscaper can recommend hardy, climate-appropriate plants that will cope with Otago frosts.
Often, yes. A staged plan lets you prioritise the high-impact structural work first — levels, drainage, retaining and paths — then add planting 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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