YGS Landscapes is a commercial landscaping contractor based in Plymouth, supporting housing developers, principal contractors, councils and commercial estate managers across Devon and Cornwall.

Founded in 1973, the business has grown from a small local operation into a trusted regional contractor delivering commercial landscaping, grounds maintenance, fencing and arboricultural services across the South West.

Today, YGS works with developers, principal contractors, councils and managing agents to deliver reliable, high-quality landscaping safely, professionally and to programme.

• Commercial landscaping contractor based in Plymouth
• Operating across Devon and Cornwall
• Established in 1973
• ISO-certified for quality, environmental management and health & safety

Our management team brings decades of combined experience across commercial landscaping, grounds maintenance, arboriculture and site operations. This experience is supported by a strong supervisory structure and well-trained site teams, ensuring consistent delivery across every project.

All works are delivered through ISO-certified management systems, providing clear processes for quality, environmental responsibility and health & safety. Combined with a practical, hands-on approach, this allows us to deliver dependable results across complex and live environments.

We’re proud to have contributed to many significant projects across the South West – from large-scale housing developments and commercial estates to long-term public-sector frameworks.

This includes ongoing involvement at Sherford, one of the region’s largest new towns, where we’ve supported multiple phases over many years, including complex feature landscaping, planting schemes and long-term landscape delivery.

YGS is built on the strength and experience of its people. Our leadership, supervisors and skilled operatives bring a broad range of horticultural, landscaping and operational expertise, developed through years of hands-on site experience.

We invest heavily in training and development to ensure every team member works safely, confidently and to our expected standards.

Our structure includes:

• Senior management specialising in commercial landscaping delivery

• Dedicated project leads for soft landscaping, grounds maintenance and fencing

• Qualified arboriculture teams

• Experienced supervisors overseeing quality and compliance

• A growing number of apprentices supported through structured development programmes

We are committed to developing practical skills and creating long-term career pathways within the landscaping and grounds maintenance sector.

Our first apprentice remains part of the YGS team nearly 30 years later – reflecting the progression opportunities available within the business and the value we place on developing talent from the outset.

Recognising a shortage of accessible horticultural training locally, YGS partnered with City College Plymouth to help establish a structured apprenticeship pathway that supports new entrants into the industry.

Our work is also supported by recognised training standards, independently verified compliance systems and clear operational processes that underpin how we deliver commercial landscaping projects across Devon and Cornwall.

Through this programme and our internal development structure, apprentices gain:

• Hands-on experience on live commercial sites

• Mentoring from experienced supervisors and managers

• Monthly in-house training days focused on technical skills, safety and standards

• Weekly “Plant Club” sessions with our Managing Director, strengthening horticultural knowledge and plant identification

• Support toward recognised qualifications and industry standards

• Exposure to landscaping, grounds maintenance and arboricultural operations

Apprentices work alongside established teams while completing their college-based learning, enabling them to build practical capability, confidence and a strong foundation in safe working practices.

Several apprentices have progressed successfully through the programme, with opportunities to continue developing their careers within YGS. This structured approach strengthens our workforce and supports the standards set out in our Accreditations & Compliance and Training & Workforce Development pages.

Long-term client relationships, workforce continuity and structured systems continue to shape how YGS Landscapes delivers work across the South West.

Planning a Landscaping Project Across Devon & Cornwall?

Whether you are planning new works, reviewing maintenance requirements or preparing for tender, our team would be pleased to discuss your project.

Commercial landscaping & grounds maintenance across Devon & Cornwall

Socials: