✓ Verified Google reviews·✓ Reviewed regularly·✓ Updated June 10, 2026
Written by Mark Reid,
Home Services Editor ·Verified June 10, 2026
Boston's landscape work isn't straightforward. The city runs from tight Beacon Hill rowhouse gardens barely 200 square feet in size to sprawling suburban lots in West Roxbury and Roslindale pushing a quarter acre. Soil conditions vary a lot too: parts of South Boston and the South End sit on filled land with compacted, poorly draining soil that makes turf establishment genuinely difficult, while neighborhoods closer to the Blue Hills corridor tend to have sandier, more workable ground. Seasonal timing matters more here than in most US cities. Frost typically arrives early, so spring cleanups, aeration, and sod installation need to be scheduled tightly, and any hardscaping project involving concrete footings has to account for Boston's freeze-thaw cycles. Local landscapers who know these conditions will quote differently than a regional company that treats every job the same way.
The businesses listed on this page were drawn from third-party public business listings and ranked by review rating and review count, with a small lift given to businesses that show a working website and a listed phone number. From there, we checked each business's homepage directly to confirm that landscaping is what they primarily offer, which is how unrelated trades and general contractors get filtered out. Any listing flagged as permanently closed is removed automatically. Where you see a Trust Verified badge on a listing, that business has gone further and passed our full independent verification, which covers trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. You can see exactly what that check involves on our How We Verify page. Businesses without that badge have not been independently verified by us.
Before you book anyone, ask for a written quote that breaks out labor and materials separately. A lot of Boston landscapers quote as a lump sum, and that makes it hard to compare bids or spot if one contractor is padding materials costs. For any hardscaping work, permitting from the Boston Transportation Department or the local ISD office may be required, so ask upfront who handles that and whether it's included in the price. Get at least three quotes, especially for larger projects like patio installation or drainage work, where pricing in the Boston market can range from $8,000 to over $25,000 for the same square footage depending on materials and labor rates. Always ask for proof of liability insurance before work starts, and check references from jobs done in Boston specifically, since local soil and zoning conditions are different enough that out-of-state experience doesn't always translate.
How We Select & Rate The Best Landscapers in Boston, MA
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 listed phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm that landscaping is what they primarily offer, which keeps unrelated trades off the page. Permanently closed listings 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 complete list. 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.
Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. Every other listing is ranked on rating and review count from third-party business listings. How we rank & verify →
Riddle landscaping provides comprehensive landscaping services to residential and commercial properties throughout Boston and the surrounding areas. Based on Washington Street in the 02131 area, the company has earned a perfect 5-star rating from 80 verified customer reviews. Their services include landscape design, installation, and maintenance for clients seeking to enhance their outdoor spaces.
Fitzgerald Landscape and Hardscape, LLC provides comprehensive landscaping and hardscaping services throughout the Boston area. The company has earned a perfect 5-star rating from 39 verified customer reviews, reflecting their commitment to quality workmanship and customer satisfaction. Their services encompass both landscape design and installation as well as hardscape features like patios, walkways, and retaining walls.
The Boston Landscaping Company provides comprehensive landscaping services throughout the Boston area, specializing in design, installation, and maintenance for residential and commercial properties. With a perfect 5-star rating from 23 verified customer reviews, the company handles everything from lawn care and garden design to hardscaping and seasonal cleanups. Their experienced team serves Boston neighborhoods with reliable, professional landscaping solutions tailored to each client's specific needs and budget.
Royal Stone Landscape Construction provides comprehensive landscaping services to the Boston area from their Parsons Street location in the 02135 zip code. The company has earned a perfect 5-star rating from 22 verified customer reviews, reflecting their commitment to quality workmanship and customer satisfaction. They specialize in transforming outdoor spaces through professional landscape design and construction services for residential and commercial properties throughout the greater Boston region.
G&G Landscaping Services LLC provides comprehensive landscaping solutions for residential and commercial properties throughout the Boston area. The company handles lawn maintenance, garden design, seasonal cleanups, and outdoor space improvements with attention to detail and customer satisfaction. With a perfect 5-star rating from 21 verified customer reviews, G&G Landscaping Services has built a reputation for reliable and quality work in the local community.
The Urban Gardener Landscape Service LLC provides professional landscaping services throughout the Boston area. The company maintains a perfect 5-star rating from 16 verified customer reviews, reflecting their commitment to quality workmanship and customer satisfaction. Their team specializes in creating and maintaining outdoor spaces for residential and commercial properties in the greater Boston region.
David C McDonald Company provides comprehensive landscaping services throughout the Boston area, helping property owners enhance their outdoor spaces with professional design and maintenance solutions. With a perfect 5-star rating from 10 verified customer reviews, the company demonstrates consistent quality in their residential and commercial landscaping projects. Their experienced team focuses on creating and maintaining beautiful outdoor environments that meet each client's specific needs and budget.
Lawn Care Plus Inc. provides comprehensive landscaping services to residential and commercial properties throughout Boston, operating from their Winton Street location in the 02131 area. The company maintains a strong reputation with a 4.6-star rating based on 17 verified customer reviews. Their experienced team handles lawn maintenance, landscape design, and property care services for clients across the greater Boston area.
John Anthony's Landscaping, LLC provides comprehensive landscaping services throughout the Boston area from their Washington Street location in the 02131 area. The company maintains a 4.1-star rating based on 9 verified customer reviews, reflecting their commitment to quality outdoor design and maintenance work. Their experienced team serves residential and commercial clients with a full range of landscaping solutions tailored to the Greater Boston region's climate and terrain.
Transparency notice: Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. 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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Basic lawn maintenance runs $40-80 per visit, while landscape design projects typically start around $2,000 for small yards and can reach $15,000-30,000 for complete makeovers with hardscaping. Spring cleanups cost $300-800 depending on property size. Tree removal averages $800-2,500 per tree. Prices vary significantly based on access, soil conditions, and plant choices. Getting three quotes is standard practice since estimates can vary by 30% or more for the same work.
What plants work well in Boston's climate?
Native and adapted plants like sugar maples, eastern red cedar, black-eyed susans, and New England asters handle the city's Zone 6b-7a conditions well. For foundations, consider rhododendrons, pieris, and boxwood. Many landscapers recommend avoiding magnolias and Japanese maples in exposed areas due to late frost damage. Clay soil amendments are often necessary, and most pros suggest plants that can handle both drought and occasional flooding.
Do I need permits for landscaping work in Boston?
Most planting and lawn work doesn't require permits, but you'll need approval for retaining walls over 4 feet, significant grading changes, or work near property lines. Tree removal on city property requires permits from Parks & Recreation. If your project involves drainage changes or structures like patios, check with Boston's Inspectional Services Department. Your landscaper should know which projects trigger permit requirements.
How do I handle Boston's difficult soil conditions?
Boston's clay soil and urban fill create drainage and compaction issues. Good landscapers will test your soil pH and drainage before major plantings. Soil amendments like compost and sand improve clay, while raised beds solve drainage problems. Many properties need French drains or other water management solutions. Expect soil preparation to add $2-5 per square foot to planting costs, but it's essential for long-term plant health.
When's the ideal time to start landscaping projects in Boston?
Spring planting works well from late April through June, while fall planting from September to mid-October gives roots time to establish before winter. Avoid summer planting during heat waves. Hardscaping and construction work can happen spring through fall, but book early since good contractors fill up quickly. Winter planning sessions often get you better pricing for spring installation.
How do I verify a landscaper's credentials and reliability?
Check their Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor registration at mass.gov if the project exceeds $1,000. Verify current general liability and workers' comp insurance by asking for certificates. Look up their Better Business Bureau rating and check recent Google reviews for specific details about completed work. Ask for local references from jobs completed within the past year, and drive by to see the quality firsthand if possible.
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