Landscaping in Denver demands more than aesthetic judgment. The city's semi-arid climate, 300 days of annual sunshine, frequent water restrictions, and zone 5b/6a growing conditions create a context where plant selection mistakes become visible and costly within a single season. Equally important: Denver Water's restrictions and rebate programs, combined with HOA requirements in many of the metro's communities, create regulatory layers that national landscape chains frequently navigate poorly.
Our research team evaluated more than 50 landscaping companies serving the Denver metro, focusing on design portfolio quality, appropriate plant selection for Denver's climate, irrigation system competence, and the ability to maintain established landscapes reliably over multiple seasons. We specifically assessed xeriscape expertise — the growing-demand skill set for water-conscious Denver homeowners seeking to reduce both water bills and maintenance burden.
How We Evaluated
The Rankings
Designs By Sundown
No landscape firm in Colorado has accumulated more industry recognition than Designs By Sundown. Founded in 1985 and based in Littleton, the company has earned more than 100 national and local awards — including 64 Excellence in Landscape Awards from the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado — and has held BBB accreditation with an A+ rating since 1993.
The firm's 300-plus-person team spans landscape design, construction, pools and spas, and year-round property maintenance, with credentials that include ASLA and ALCC membership, an ISA Certified Arborist, and Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper certification. For homeowners planning a significant design-build investment, this is the most credentialed operation in the metro.
Lifescape Colorado
Lifescape Colorado has practiced landscape design and construction in Denver since 1976 and describes itself as Colorado's largest locally owned residential landscape company. Its award record backs the longevity — multiple NALP Gold and Silver Awards and ALCC ELITE recognition spanning decades of projects.
The firm pairs design and construction with a year-round property care division, and it has invested heavily in water-wise design — drought-tolerant plant palettes, smart irrigation, and xeriscape conversions suited to Denver's semi-arid climate. Third-party reviews average 4.2 stars across more than 100 collected reviews.
Mile High Landscaping
Mile High Landscaping has operated from its Denver base since 2003 under owners John and Victoria Hutchen, who stay personally involved in each project from first sketch to final walkthrough. The firm concentrates on custom outdoor living — patios, outdoor kitchens, fire features, landscape lighting — alongside xeriscape and native plant design suited to Denver's semi-arid conditions.
Its portfolio is concentrated in Denver's central neighborhoods — Washington Park, Cherry Creek, Hilltop, Central Park — with work extending to suburbs including Centennial, Highlands Ranch, and Arvada. A two-decade operating record, a BBB business profile, and a sustained Yelp review history support its standing here.
Designscapes Colorado
Designscapes Colorado, founded in 1992 and based in Centennial, works across an unusually wide range — custom residential outdoor living, commercial landscapes, parks, and athletic fields — and holds a place on Lawn & Landscape magazine's Top 100 list of U.S. landscape companies. Its ALCC ELITE Gold Award for Community Stewardship in 2021 and multiple ALCC project awards reflect real standing within Colorado's professional landscape community. Maintenance, landscape lighting, and audio design round out a genuinely full-service operation.
Phase One Landscapes
Phase One Landscapes brings more than 35 years of Denver design-build experience and one of the strongest recent award records in the metro: at the 2025 ALCC ELITE Awards the firm earned five honors, including Gold for residential maintenance, Silver for plant design, and Bronze for a large-budget design-build renovation. The company handles outdoor kitchens, pools and spas, fire and water features, and ongoing property care from its southeast Denver headquarters. BBB accreditation and consistently positive recent client feedback round out the record.
Environmental Designs
Environmental Designs has served the Denver metro since 1989 and now operates six offices along the Front Range — including Henderson, Castle Rock, Centennial, and Golden — giving it geographic coverage few locally rooted firms can match. The company runs commercial and residential divisions plus a dedicated tree care and plant health team, and its review record is strong: a 5.0 rating on Angi and 4.7 on Houzz. It is a natural fit for larger properties and clients who want design, construction, and long-term care under one contract.
American Design & Landscape
Established in 1967 by husband-and-wife team Gary and Linda Smith, American Design & Landscape is among the longest-operating landscape contractors in the Denver metro — and it has held BBB accreditation since 1993 with an A+ rating. The Parker-based firm designs and installs outdoor living spaces, retaining walls, water features, sport courts, and irrigation systems across the south metro. Nearly six decades in the same market is a signal of sustained performance that newer competitors cannot claim.
Singing Hills Landscape
Singing Hills Landscape, incorporated in 1995 and based in Aurora, has grown into one of the east metro's most substantial landscape operations — roughly 50 full-time and 35 seasonal employees serving homeowners, architects, property managers, and municipalities. The family-owned firm describes its business as largely referral-based, and it has announced plans to transition to full employee ownership. Design, residential and commercial construction, maintenance, and snow services are all handled in-house.
JBK Landscape
JBK Landscape has installed and maintained landscapes in the Denver metro for more than 45 years, with a portfolio spanning residential renovation, custom design, irrigation management, and large HOA and community maintenance contracts. The Aurora-based firm's work has earned ALCC recognition, including a Grand Award for the Healing Garden project at Shalom Park. Client reviews consistently cite responsiveness and crew professionalism across both its residential and community divisions.
Mile High Lifescape
Mile High Lifescape rounds out the list as a Denver-based provider focused on the everyday side of landscaping: lawn care, sod and mulch installation, sprinkler systems, xeriscape conversions, and seasonal cleanups. With more than 20 years of experience and a service footprint that reaches Lakewood, Littleton, Centennial, Thornton, Westminster, and Highlands Ranch, it is a practical option for homeowners who need reliable recurring care rather than a large design-build engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions: Landscaping in Denver
How much does landscaping cost in Denver?
Landscaping costs in Denver vary significantly by scope. A full front yard xeriscape installation typically runs $3,000 to $12,000. Backyard design and installation projects range from $8,000 to $40,000+. Annual maintenance contracts for a typical Denver home (mowing, edging, fertilization, spring and fall cleanups) run $1,200 to $3,600 per year. Irrigation system installation adds $2,500 to $6,000. Hardscape features like patios, retaining walls, and fire pits can add $5,000 to $30,000+. Always request itemized proposals that separate design, materials, and labor.
What is xeriscape and why is it popular in Denver?
Xeriscape is a landscaping approach that minimizes outdoor water use through drought-tolerant plant selection, efficient irrigation design, and strategic mulching. Denver averages only 14 inches of annual precipitation — well below the needs of traditional turf-heavy lawns. Denver Water offers rebates for qualifying xeriscape conversions (up to $3 per square foot of turf replaced), making xeriscape financially attractive as well as environmentally responsible. Most reputable Denver landscapers now offer formal xeriscape design services and can assist with rebate applications.
What should I look for when hiring a Denver landscaper?
Look for NALP (National Association of Landscape Professionals) membership or certification, which indicates commitment to industry standards. Verify that irrigation work will be performed by a Colorado-licensed irrigator. Ask for a detailed landscape design plan before any installation begins, and ensure plant selections are appropriate for Denver's zone 5b/6a climate. Request references from projects completed two to three seasons prior to see how work performs over time — a project that looks great immediately can fail significantly by its second season if plant selection was wrong for the conditions.
Do Denver landscapers handle irrigation system installation?
Most full-service Denver landscapers include irrigation installation and maintenance, but quality varies considerably. Colorado requires irrigation contractors to hold a specific license for irrigation work — verify through DORA. Quality irrigation design for Denver's context means smart controllers compatible with Denver Water and Xcel Energy rebate programs, pressure-regulated heads appropriate for the city's high water pressure zones, and drip irrigation for non-turf areas. Avoid landscapers who treat irrigation as an add-on rather than an integrated system design element.
How to Use This List
Every company here was evaluated for climate appropriateness, installation quality, and multi-season performance — the most important metrics for Denver landscaping. The right landscaper for your project depends on your goals: xeriscape conversion, hardscape installation, maintenance reliability, or specialty work all benefit from different strengths. Use the service area and strength pill notes to narrow your list, then request design proposals from two to three companies before committing to any significant installation project.
Disclosure
Rankings reflect independent editorial judgment as of August 2026. Businesses listed did not pay for placement, receive advance notice of their inclusion, or participate in the evaluation process. Denver Dean's List does not sell placements, badges, or certificates related to this or any other list.
Know a landscaping company we missed?
Our editorial team reviews nominations for future list updates — typically every 6 months.