Top Landscape Design in Jacksonville, Florida Ranked

Transforming your Jacksonville property into a beautiful, functional outdoor space begins with a thoughtful landscape design. This process is more than just planting flowers; it's the artful planning of your yard to create harmony between your home and the natural environment, tailored to Florida's unique climate. A well-crafted design considers everything from plant selection and soil conditions to outdoor living areas and long-term maintenance. This guide will help you understand the key elements of residential landscaping in Jacksonville, empowering you to find the right local expertise to bring your vision to life.

Turfside

jacksonville

Turfside is a landscaping company based in Jacksonville, FL, specializing in artificial turf installation, landscape design, yard drainage, sprinkler installation and repair, land clearing, and grading services. They offer comprehensive landscaping solutions including the installation of putting greens and K9 turf, with a focus on detailed design and precise installation. Turfside is known for its hands-on management approach and thorough project oversight, ensuring quality results. The company has built a strong reputation over many years and is recognized for its professional and meticulous work.

5.0

206 Reviews

Serenoa Landscape Design

1074 10th Ave S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Serenoa Landscape Design is a landscape design company based in Jacksonville, FL, led by Andy Turner, a Northeast Florida native with over 20 years of experience in horticulture and landscape design. The company serves clients throughout Northeast Florida and the coastal South, including Southeast Georgia. Andy focuses on creating landscapes that align with the local climate, soils, and coastal conditions, emphasizing long-term viability and thoughtful use of space. His design approach prioritizes structure and natural elements like trees and palms, allowing landscapes to develop gradually and sustainably over time.

5.0

175 Reviews

The Landscape Guy LLC

jacksonville

The Landscape Guy LLC is a landscaping company based in Jacksonville, FL, offering a wide range of outdoor services. Their expertise includes custom landscape design, irrigation system installation and repair, hardscaping with features like patios, walkways, and retaining walls, as well as lawn care, fertilization, sod and artificial turf installation, fence installation, landscape lighting, tree services, and pressure washing. Founded by Alex, who has a lifelong passion for landscaping inspired by his grandfather, the company serves Northeast Florida and surrounding areas. They focus on creating functional and attractive outdoor spaces tailored to clients' styles and needs.

5.0

153 Reviews

Earth Works Plant Nursery

12501 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246

Earth Works Plant Nursery is a full-service landscaping company based in Jacksonville, FL. Since 1988, they have provided landscape design, installation, and maintenance services, including lawn care, fertilization, weed and pest control, and custom hardscaping such as paver patios, retaining walls, and fire pits. Their offerings also include landscape lighting, water features like ponds and waterfalls, and drainage solutions. The company operates a garden center that supplies plants and pond products, supporting their comprehensive approach to outdoor living spaces. Earth Works has over 34 years of experience serving the greater Jacksonville area and maintains a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

4.9

1.6k Reviews

Pro Designs Landscaping

jacksonville

Pro Designs Landscaping is a landscaping company based in Jacksonville, FL. They offer a variety of services including landscape design and installation, lawn care, hardscaping, landscape lighting, and outdoor construction. Their team focuses on personalized landscaping solutions tailored to each client's vision and needs. Pro Designs Landscaping is capable of paver installation and design, as well as creating outdoor living spaces. They provide free estimates and aim to deliver detailed craftsmanship in their projects.

5.0

119 Reviews

See more providers in Jacksonville, FL

Understanding Jacksonville's Unique Environment

Successful landscape architecture in Northeast Florida starts with a deep respect for the local climate and soil. Jacksonville falls within USDA Hardiness Zones 9b and 10a, characterized by long, hot, and humid summers with mild winters ¹. This climate demands plants that are not only heat-loving but also drought-tolerant once established. Furthermore, the region's soil is often sandy, which drains water very quickly ². This presents a dual challenge: plants can dry out fast, and nutrients can leach away. A professional garden design will account for this by specifying soil amendments or, more commonly, by selecting native and adapted plants that thrive in these exact conditions ³.

Selecting the Right Plants for Your Yard

Choosing plants is a cornerstone of any landscape plan. For a low-maintenance, thriving yard, native species are often the best choice. They are naturally adapted to local pests, rainfall patterns, and soil types. Excellent native options for Jacksonville include Firebush (Hamelia patens), which attracts hummingbirds with its red blooms; Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera), a great evergreen screen; and American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), known for its vibrant purple berries in the fall ^{2 4}. Other resilient, non-native options that perform well include Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp.) and various palms. Grouping plants with similar water and sunlight needs together, a practice called hydrozoning, is a key strategy for creating an efficient and sustainable garden layout ¹.

Core Principles of Effective Yard Design

A cohesive landscape design applies fundamental artistic principles to organize the space. Professionals often talk about using line, form, texture, and color to create visual interest and guide the eye ⁵. For instance, the curved line of a pathway can create a sense of mystery, while the bold form of a specimen tree can serve as a focal point. Beyond aesthetics, a great plan organizes the yard into functional zones. Think of your outdoor space as a series of "rooms." You might have a quiet relaxation zone with a bench surrounded by fragrant plants, an active entertainment zone with a patio and outdoor kitchen, and a utility zone for composting or storage ^{6 7}. Clearly defining these areas makes the space more usable and enjoyable.

Incorporating Hardscape and Structure

Hardscaping refers to the non-living, built elements of your landscape. In Jacksonville's outdoor-centric lifestyle, these features are essential for expanding your living space. Common hardscape elements include patios, walkways, retaining walls, and decks. They provide structure, define spaces, and reduce maintenance compared to large lawn areas. When planning hardscapes, consider both the material (e.g., pavers, natural stone, concrete) and how it complements the architectural style of your home. Proper installation with adequate drainage is critical, especially in sandy soil, to prevent settling and water pooling ¹.

Creating an Outdoor Living Oasis

For many Jacksonville homeowners, the ultimate goal of a landscape renovation is to create a true outdoor oasis for family and entertainment. This goes beyond basic planting beds into the realm of custom outdoor living design.

Patios & Decks: These are the foundational floors of your outdoor room, providing stable, level surfaces for furniture and gathering ⁸.

Outdoor Kitchens & Bars: A highly popular addition, these allow you to cook and entertain without running back inside. Designs can range from a simple built-in grill station to a full kitchen with refrigeration, sinks, and countertops ⁶.

Pools & Water Features: Given the climate, pools are a common centerpiece. Even without a pool, the sound of moving water from a fountain or pond can add a cooling, tranquil ambiance to your garden.

Fire Features: Fire pits or outdoor fireplaces extend the usability of your yard into cooler evenings and create a natural gathering spot for conversation ⁸.

A cohesive design will integrate these features seamlessly with the softscape (plants) and your home's exterior, creating a unified and inviting environment.

The Process: From Concept to Completion

Understanding the typical workflow of a landscape design project can help set your expectations. The process often begins with a consultation, where a designer assesses your site, discusses your needs, style preferences, and budget. This is followed by the creation of a conceptual or master plan. A comprehensive landscape master plan is a detailed document that includes site measurements, existing conditions, proposed layouts, planting plans, and construction details for hardscapes ^{9 10}. This plan serves as the essential blueprint for installation, whether you implement it in phases or all at once. It ensures every element is thoughtfully considered and properly located.

Investment and Project Scope

The cost of landscape design and installation in Jacksonville varies tremendously based on the project's complexity and scale. For perspective, developing a detailed master plan from a professional designer can range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more ^{9 10}. Installation costs are separate and have an even wider range. A simple refresh with native shrubs and perennials may cost a few hundred dollars, while a full-scale project involving a new patio, outdoor kitchen, mature tree installation, and sophisticated lighting can run into the tens of thousands ^{8 2}. It's important to view this as a long-term investment in your property's value and your quality of life. A phased approach, guided by a master plan, allows you to build your dream landscape over time as budget allows.

Sustainable and Low-Maintenance Considerations

A modern landscape plan prioritizes sustainability and ease of care. This is especially relevant in Jacksonville, where water conservation is important. Xeriscaping principles-using drought-tolerant plants and efficient irrigation-are key. Drip irrigation or smart controllers that adjust watering based on weather can significantly reduce water use. Choosing the right plants from the start is the best way to minimize maintenance. Native plants typically require less fertilizer, fewer pesticides, and less supplemental watering than non-natives ². Incorporating generous mulched beds not only suppresses weeds and retains soil moisture but also gives a polished look to the planting design.

Frequently asked questions

Sources