Top 10 Best Landscaping Companies in North Devon

Landscaping in a Unique Environment

Few places in England offer such varied conditions for garden design as North Devon. Clifftop gardens in Lynton and Mortehoe face strong salt-laden winds, while sheltered valley plots near Barnstaple and Bishops Tawton benefit from rich soils and a mild climate. The region's position within the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve also inspires many homeowners to create wildlife-friendly outdoor spaces that complement the surrounding landscape.

Professional landscapers bring design expertise, horticultural knowledge and the construction skills needed to build patios, retaining walls, drainage and planting schemes that thrive in local conditions. Below are ten of the most respected landscaping companies in North Devon.

What to Expect From a Good Landscaper

A quality landscaping company will begin with a site survey, considering soil type, drainage, aspect, exposure and how you want to use the space. Many offer a design service with scaled plans or 3D visualisations. Look for membership of trade organisations such as the Association of Professional Landscapers, a portfolio of completed projects and clear contracts setting out materials, timescales and payment stages.

The Top 10 Landscaping Companies in North Devon

1. Taw Valley Landscapes

Taw Valley Landscapes is a full-service design and build company based near Barnstaple. It delivers complete garden transformations, including natural stone patios, raised beds, lawns and lighting, with an emphasis on quality materials and long-term durability.

2. Coastal Garden Design North Devon

Specialising in exposed seaside gardens, Coastal Garden Design North Devon selects salt-tolerant plants, installs windbreaks and designs sheltered seating areas. Its projects are common in Croyde, Woolacombe and Westward Ho!.

3. Torridge Hard Landscaping

Torridge Hard Landscaping focuses on the structural side of garden projects, including driveways, retaining walls, steps, paving and drainage. Its team is particularly skilled at working on sloping sites, which are common across the region.

4. Exmoor Natural Gardens

Inspired by the wild moorland landscape, Exmoor Natural Gardens creates naturalistic planting schemes, wildflower meadows and native hedgerows. It is ideal for rural homeowners who want gardens that blend seamlessly into the countryside.

5. Braunton Outdoor Living

Braunton Outdoor Living designs spaces for entertaining, including outdoor kitchens, fire pits, pergolas and decking. It works closely with holiday let owners who want to create memorable outdoor areas for guests.

6. Devon Stone and Hedge Specialists

The traditional Devon hedge bank is a distinctive feature of the local landscape. This specialist builds and restores stone-faced banks, dry stone walls and field boundaries using time-honoured techniques.

7. Bideford Garden Services

Offering both landscaping and ongoing maintenance, Bideford Garden Services is a practical choice for homeowners who want a new garden built and professionally cared for afterwards, with regular mowing, pruning and seasonal tidy-ups.

8. Green Roots Eco Landscaping

Green Roots Eco Landscaping promotes sustainable design, using permeable paving, rain gardens, reclaimed materials and pollinator-friendly planting. Its approach helps manage heavy rainfall while supporting biodiversity.

9. South Molton Tree and Landscape

Combining arboriculture with landscaping, this firm offers tree surgery, hedge reduction, stump grinding and replanting. It is often called upon to prepare overgrown plots for new garden designs.

10. Ilfracombe Garden Makers

A creative small business, Ilfracombe Garden Makers specialises in compact courtyard and terraced gardens, making the most of steep, narrow plots typical of the town's Victorian streets.

Landscaping Trends in North Devon

Wildlife gardening is one of the strongest trends. Homeowners are increasingly asking for native planting, ponds, bird boxes and areas of longer grass that support insects and small mammals. Sustainable drainage is another priority, as heavy rain is common and permeable surfaces help reduce run-off and flooding.

Outdoor living spaces have also grown in popularity. Covered seating areas, outdoor heaters and garden rooms allow residents to enjoy their gardens for more of the year despite the changeable weather. Low-maintenance designs using gravel, perennials and grasses appeal to busy families and second home owners alike.

Planning Your Landscaping Project

Start by defining how you want to use your garden, whether for play, relaxation, entertaining or growing food. Set a realistic budget and allow a contingency for unexpected ground conditions. Autumn and winter are ideal for planning and planting bare-root trees and hedges, while hard landscaping is best carried out in drier months. Book early, as the most sought-after landscapers are often fully booked well ahead of spring.

Consider long-term maintenance too. A beautiful design that needs constant attention may not suit your lifestyle, so discuss maintenance levels with your landscaper during the planning stage.

Plant selection deserves special attention in North Devon. On exposed coastal plots, tough shrubs such as escallonia, griselinia and sea buckthorn make excellent windbreaks, while hardy grasses and lavender cope well with salt and sun. In sheltered inland gardens, the mild climate allows tender plants and exotic species to flourish. An experienced local landscaper will know which varieties thrive in your specific microclimate and soil.

Conclusion

North Devon's diverse landscapes offer inspiring possibilities for garden design. Whether you want a sheltered coastal retreat, a wildlife-rich rural garden or a practical family space in town, the companies listed here have the expertise to bring your vision to life. Choose a landscaper who understands local conditions, and your outdoor space will flourish for years to come.