✓ Verified Google reviews·✓ Reviewed regularly·✓ Updated 29 May 2026
Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 29 May 2026
Portsmouth is a city of contrasts when it comes to outdoor space. Terraced streets in Southsea and Fratton often mean compact rear gardens hemmed in by Victorian brickwork, while properties out towards Cosham, Drayton, and Farlington tend to have more generous plots with room for proper lawn laying, raised beds, and structural planting. The coastal climate plays its part too. Salt-laden air from the Solent can stress plants and accelerate wear on timber decking and fencing, so local landscapers who know how to specify the right materials and plant species for this environment are genuinely worth seeking out. Chalk and clay subsoils show up across parts of the city, which affects drainage design and soil preparation significantly. A landscaper with experience on Portsmouth plots will know all of this already.
The businesses listed on this page were drawn from third-party public business listings and ranked primarily by their public review rating and review count, with a small lift applied to those that show a working website and phone number. Before any business appears here, we check its homepage to confirm that landscaping is what it primarily offers, which is how unrelated trades get kept off the page. Listings flagged as permanently closed are removed automatically. Where you see a Trust Verified badge on a business, that means it has additionally passed our full verification process covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. You can find the complete list of what that covers on our How We Verify page. Businesses without that badge have not been independently verified by us, and you should carry out those checks yourself before booking.
Before you hire anyone, it's worth getting at least three written quotes so you can compare scope of work as well as price. Landscaping quotes vary enormously depending on whether topsoil needs to be brought in, whether there's skip hire involved, and how much groundwork preparation is required. Ask each landscaper to walk you through what's included in the quote and what isn't. If they're laying a patio or hard standing, find out what sub-base depth they're planning, because skimping on that is a common cause of problems later. For any work involving planting schemes or lawn installation, ask about aftercare advice and whether they'll return to address any failures. Always confirm whether your garden might require planning permission before structural changes like walls or outbuildings are involved, and check with your local authority if you're unsure.
How We Select & Rate The Best Landscapers in Portsmouth
Rankings on this page are driven by public review rating and review count pulled from third-party business listings, with a small lift applied to businesses that have a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm that landscaping is the primary trade offered, which keeps unrelated businesses off the page. Listings flagged as permanently closed are removed automatically. Businesses displaying a Trust Verified badge have additionally passed our full verification process covering qualifications, insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. See our How We Verify page for the full details. All other businesses on this page have not been independently verified by us, and inclusion is not an endorsement. Always do your own checks before hiring.
Positions 1–5 (Recommended and Featured) may be paid placements. Every other listing is ranked on rating and review count from third-party business listings. How we rank & verify →
A&O Landscapes Portsmouth provides professional landscaping services across Portsmouth and surrounding areas from their Hilsea base. The company has earned a perfect 5-star rating from 22 verified customer reviews on Google, reflecting their commitment to quality workmanship. They offer comprehensive garden design and landscaping solutions for residential and commercial properties throughout the PO2 area.
Howard and sons landscape gardening provides professional landscaping services throughout Portsmouth and the surrounding areas. Based in Southsea, this family-run business has earned a perfect 5-star rating from 19 verified customer reviews for their reliable garden transformation work. The company operates from their office on Rodney Road, serving residential and commercial clients across the PO4 postcode area.
T.H Landscape & Designs provides professional landscaping services throughout Portsmouth and the surrounding areas. Based in North End, the company has earned a 5-star rating from 19 verified customer reviews for their garden design and landscaping work. They serve residential and commercial clients across the PO2 area with comprehensive outdoor space solutions.
Southcoast Landscapes provides professional landscaping services from their Southsea base, serving Portsmouth and the surrounding areas. The company has earned a perfect 5-star rating from 13 verified customer reviews on Google. Their team specialises in creating and maintaining outdoor spaces for residential and commercial properties across the local region.
Dan Landscapes Limited provides professional landscaping services across Portsmouth from their base in PO6. The company has earned a 5-star rating from 7 verified customer reviews, reflecting their commitment to quality garden design and maintenance work. Their team handles various landscaping projects for residential and commercial clients throughout the Portsmouth area.
Stone Green Landscapes Ltd provides professional landscaping services to clients across Portsmouth and surrounding areas. Based on Colebrook Avenue, the company has earned a 4.2-star rating from 5 verified customer reviews. Their team handles various outdoor projects to transform residential and commercial spaces throughout the PO3 area.
Transparency notice: Recommended (#1) and Featured (positions 2-5) listings may be paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears in those positions. All other listings are ranked by a combined score drawn from ratings and review counts published on third-party business listings, plus basic completeness signals such as a working website and phone. A Trust Verified badge means we have independently checked that business's documents; businesses without it have not been independently verified by us. How we verify →
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Garden redesign typically costs £3,000-£8,000 for a standard rear garden, whilst patio installation runs £40-£80 per square metre depending on materials. Simple lawn laying costs around £15-£25 per square metre, but prices jump if you need extensive groundwork or drainage solutions. Clay soil excavation adds £20-£40 per cubic metre to any project. Getting two or three detailed quotes is standard practice, and you'll often see 20-30% variation between contractors.
Do Portsmouth landscapers handle planning permission applications?
Most landscapers can advise on what needs permission, but you'll typically need to submit applications yourself or hire a separate planning consultant. Portsmouth City Council requires permission for significant changes to front gardens, especially if you're removing boundary walls or installing hardstanding. Many landscapers work with local planning consultants and can recommend someone if your project needs formal approval.
What's the difference between a landscaper and a gardener?
Landscapers focus on structural changes like patios, retaining walls, drainage systems, and complete garden redesigns. They typically handle excavation, hard landscaping, and major planting schemes. Gardeners concentrate on ongoing maintenance, seasonal planting, lawn care, and keeping established gardens in good condition. Many Portsmouth properties need both - a landscaper for the initial transformation, then a gardener for regular upkeep.
How long does a typical garden landscaping project take?
A complete garden overhaul usually takes 2-4 weeks, depending on size and complexity. Simple jobs like lawn laying or flower bed creation might be finished in 3-5 days. Patio installation typically takes a week, including ground preparation and pointing. Projects involving significant excavation or drainage work take longer, especially in Portsmouth's clay soil which is slow to dig and requires careful handling in wet weather.
Will landscapers work during winter months in Portsmouth?
Most landscapers avoid heavy groundwork between November and February because clay soil becomes waterlogged and difficult to work. However, they'll often take on hard landscaping projects like patio laying or fencing during dry winter spells. Planning and design work continues year-round, so winter's actually a good time to book consultations and get quotes ready for spring starts.
How do I verify a landscaper is reliable?
Check their Google reviews for recent projects and look for photos of completed work. Ask for local references you can visit in person - good landscapers are proud to show off nearby projects. Verify they hold public liability insurance and get this in writing. Check they're registered for business rates with Portsmouth City Council. Always get detailed written quotes and avoid anyone who demands large upfront payments or quotes over the phone without visiting your property.
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