--- title: "Sustainable Landscape Designs — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/sustainable-landscape-designs-pfvwus-pf~1887446795 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1887446795.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Sustainable Landscape Designs" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/13d3567101ccca02_0459-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "P.O. Box 6335, San Jose, California 95150-6335, United States" latitude: 37.3866 longitude: -121.897 phone: "(408) 264-7427" website: http://sustainable-landscape.com rating: 5 review_count: 9 best_of_houzz_awards: 1 followers: 32 last_updated: 2026-08-14 --- # Sustainable Landscape Designs Original Houzz profile: [Sustainable Landscape Designs](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/sustainable-landscape-designs-pfvwus-pf~1887446795) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** San Jose, CA - **Serves:** San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Redwood City, Mountain View, Milpitas, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Campbell, Los Gatos, Saratoga - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (9 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2018), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 100 Ideabook Saves SHERRI OSAKA passed away in February, 2020. This business is no longer operating. Good luck with your sustainable project. Sustainable Landscape Designs was started in 1997 by Sherri Osaka. With degrees in landscape architecture and engineering, she is uniquely suited to merge ecological systems with design elements in order to produce a long-lasting and sustainable outcome that is a delight for years to come. Our goal is to "Blend Artistry and Ecology" Ms. Osaka is a licensed Landscape Architect, a Bay-Friendly Qualified Designer and the coordinator for the Gardening with Natives subgroup of the local chapter of the California Native Plant Society. She speaks about and implements ecological landscaping techniques; including drought-tolerant native plants, drip irrigation, non-toxic garden maintenance, graywater, and rainwater systems, pervious paving, and reusable materials. ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Landscape Plans - Patio Design - Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Site Planning - Custom Water Features - 3D Rendering - Edible Gardens ### Areas Served - San Jose - Sunnyvale - Santa Clara - Redwood City - Mountain View - Milpitas - Palo Alto - Cupertino - Campbell - Los Gatos - Saratoga ### Typical Job Cost $2,000 - 5,000 Fees depend on the size and complexity of the design, but are usually $1.25-$1.50 per square foot. Installation by one of the licensed landscape contractors I work with is typically $15 per square foot. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Sustainable Landscape Designs | | Address | P.O. Box 6335, San Jose, California 95150-6335, United States | | Phone | (408) 264-7427 | | Website | http://sustainable-landscape.com | | License Number | CA Landscape Arch \#5539 | | Followers on Houzz | 32 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Sustainable Landscape Designs](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/sustainable-landscape-designs-pfvwus-pf~1887446795) - **Website:** http://sustainable-landscape.com - **Phone:** (408) 264-7427 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Licensed California Landscape Architect, Certified Bay-Friendly Landscape Design Professional, California Native Plant Society, University of CA Berkeley Landscape Architecture Certificate, University of Michigan Electrical Engineering, American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2018), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 9 reviews** ### All 9 reviews **★★★★★ — HU-446566, March 2017** > We have worked with a number of landscape designers over the years and Sherri is on top of our list for being thorough, organized, and detailed. During the design process, she was attentive and sensitive to our needs and her documentation was impeccable and artful. Our front lawn has been transformed to a drought tolerant and wildlife friendly garden and each day, we are excited to spend time in our living garden. We highly recommend this landscape architect for your next garden project. **★★★★★ — LJ K, March 2016** > When we decided to landscape our front and back yards, the first major decision was who to hire for the design work – it was very clear that we needed “professional help”. A combination of the Going Native Garden Tour (to view landscape project results and talk with homeowners) and BAWSCA classes (to see presentations by designers), led us to Sherri and Sustainable Landscape Design. Lucky us! > With basic guidelines for what we wanted (no lawn, drought tolerant, low maintenance, and year round appeal, Sherri did a remarkable job of listening, observing, and incorporating our comments during the design process to create the design. After helping to select a contractor to do the installation, Sherri kept involved in the project. We really enjoyed working with her throughout the project. > With her guidance, we included several things we hadn’t considered that add so much to the result – focal pieces (a water feature and stone sculpture), lighting, a deck, dry wells for all the downspouts, permeable pavers for the driveway replacement, and a slightly wider driveway. The result is a landscape that uses mostly California native plants in a design that flows and provides something interesting and beautiful around every corner. > We highly recommend Sherri. She is professional, yet personable; knowledgeable and personally committed to sustainable practices, but flexible, practical, and creative in meeting a client’s preferences; most of all, she made us feel like a partner in the project, not “just another job”. **Comment from Sustainable Landscape Designs:** > I loved having you and your spouse as "partners" in the process! Your garden keeps getting better and better because of all the care you give it. And the before and after pictures are great! **★★★★★ — kgissibl, March 2016** > Sherri did a major native plant design for our commercial site and worked closely with the installer to ensure the plants were healthy and the installation was as she designed. Because both the landscape company and myself were very new to native plant installation and management, her service was invaluable. She coached the landscape company on overcoming challenges with proper installation, then later in how to maintain and keep the plants looking beautiful. We have a very mature site now, but I continue to meet with her (along with the landscape company) on a quarterly basis so she can provide feedback and suggest improvements to the site. She is fabulous to work with! **Comment from Sustainable Landscape Designs:** > Thanks, Karen! You have held fast to the idea that CA natives could and SHOULD be used at this commercial site. I'm glad you kept the faith and it really does look great. Can't wait to see it this spring. **★★★★★ — Nancy, Feb. 2016** > (Note: Second photo was taken shortly after completion,) > > Sherri Osaka was a gem to work with. In the beginning she made sure to find out about my preferences, needs, etc. During the planning process she told me she wanted to get me out into the garden, and her design did just that. I still enjoy following her path through the garden. She has always been easy to contact since the project ended, and I used her services again for a smaller project in the front yard. **Comment from Sustainable Landscape Designs:** > Nice, Nancy, thank you so much for the recommendation and posting the before and after pictures. **★★★★★ — hguh1761, Feb. 2016** > Created landscape plan for our home's front and back yard. Her attention to the plan's detail was most impressive. Provided oversight of landscapers who implemented the plan. Sherri was easy to work with and responsive to any concerns or questions directed to her. > > Every day my wife and I enjoy looking into the lovely yard she designed and watch the many birds that visit the yard. It is a delight to sit on our patio and relax within the surrounding hardscape and plantings. **Comment from Sustainable Landscape Designs:** > I'm enjoying working on your FRONT garden after finishing with your back one. Here are some fun photos of your back garden, including one of your wife's hand-made mozaic tiles. **★★★★★ — Pervious Products, Feb. 2016** > Sherri has been an excellent collaborator and source of inspiration for over 20 years in our mutual quest to bring the most sustainable landscapes to our customers. I have been a landscape contractor and Sherri's name was always at the top of a list of landscape architects & designers that we used to steer our clients to. > > On this project Sherri was chosen by the City of San Jose, in a tough competition, to design a sustainable demonstration garden. She featured several different types of permeable pavements, including pervious concrete, permeable pavers, flagstone & recycled concrete in sand as well as native plantings irrigated with drip and sheet mulched. **Comment from Sustainable Landscape Designs:** > Thanks, Ryan! I've always enjoyed working with you, too. Here are some more pictures of this project. **★★★★★ — Louise Robinson, Feb. 2016** > Almost 11 years ago I hired Sustainable Landscape Designs to re envision both my front and back yard. We sat together for a couple of hours just talking about what I wanted. Sherri returned later with two design concepts for the yard. I was pleasantly surprised with how she was able to suss out what I wanted that I really was not consciously aware of myself. We were then able to pick designs from both concepts and created just the yard that we wanted. > > Once we had a contractor in place to complete our yard design I was thrilled that the contractor had virtually all of the information they needed to complete the project as planned. I never had to hover over the contractor to see if it was following our vision as Sherri had carefully documented it for them. > > Loved working with her. **★★★★★ — Lawrence Pratt, Feb. 2016** > We began working with SLD several years ago when - before the drought - we decided to go with low water use landscaping. We vetted several design firms and very quickly decided to go with Sherri Osaka and her firm, SLD. > > We have full high praise for Sherri and her efforts to positively work with us to install a variety of plants that bloom in rotation through the seasons and consistently attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Her understanding of how to place plants to obtain the most effective use of space and color is first-rate. > > Additionally, Sherri is very much a "people person" who always positively interacts with her customers, listening fully to their wants and needs. > > We now have a mature front yard with well-established plants and a relatively newly worked back yard that is maturing very nicely. As the back yard is still in its early growth, we've used that as the project date but our association with SLD dates back several years. The cost has been left blank as we have an ongoing relationship with SLD but we found Sherri's rates to be very reasonable based on the enhanced value of our property installing her designs. **★★★★★ — Peggy Reeser, Feb. 2016** > We hired Sherri to develop a plan for our yard that used native California plants. We told her our likes and dislikes, colors, plants that we wanted. But we let Sherri pick what plants would be suitable to our area. She listened to our wishes and provided us with a gorgeous yard that we enjoy all year. We have hummingbirds, butterflies, bees visiting. The colors are to our liking. And best of all, the plants will bloom at different times, giving us a yard that is constantly changing. > > Sherri's finest asset is her ability to listen and to give her clients a yard that the client wants. She did such a good job with the front yard, we had her return to do the same for the back. ## Selected projects - [Private Front Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/private-front-garden-pj-vj~2393078) - Location: Los Altos, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: Owners wanted to create a private garden area in their very large front yard, remove the lawn, and protect their beautiful, large Camphor tree. An open entry gate and fence now creates a private retreat, while the pervious pathway in front provides better access from the street and protects the roots of the existing Camphor tree. This drought-tolerant garden is irrigated with highly efficient inline drip. The owners applied for various rebates with the county water district. - [Modern subLIME](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-sublime-pj-vj~1615984) - Location: Mountain View, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: Every once in a while you get a great client who has a similar vision. The transformation on this house was amazing and the existing Saucer magnolia was the inspiration for the lime-colored accents. The new courtyard adds a lovely living space in a big front yard, bringing the scale of the landscaping into proportion. - [Fountain and Views](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fountain-and-views-pj-vj~2767040) - Location: Los Altos, CA - Photos: 18 - Description: Paving and plants are in keeping with the Craftsman style of the house. A fountain provides a focal point for the deep back garden. Raised deck areas allow the clients to appreciate the views of the surrounding hills. - [Natural garden with Asian-inspired details](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/natural-garden-with-asian-inspired-details-pj-vj~1494155) - Location: Mountain View, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: Complete landscape retrofit front and back gardens. All lawns removed, old concrete patio saw cut and used for paving. New deck, raised back planter, water feature, Stone Deck at front entry with stone sculpture by artist Ken Matsumono. Pervious or permeable paver driveway. Installation: May 2013. Open on the 2014 and 2015 Going Native Garden Tour. - [Church Labyrinth in San Jose](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/church-labyrinth-in-san-jose-pj-vj~1784560) - Location: San Jose, CA - Photos: 5 - [Bird Sanctuary Mediterranean Style](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bird-sanctuary-mediterranean-style-pj-vj~1492300) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Bird Santuary Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bird-santuary-garden-pj-vj~2763753) - Location: San Jose, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: Designed over several years, this California native garden attracts a variety of birds, especially hummingbirds. - [Craftsman-style with California Natives](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craftsman-style-with-california-natives-pj-vj~1494517) - Location: San Jose, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: Front garden redesign. Removed the lawn, added drought-tolerant native plants to create a Craftsman style design. Easy to maintain. New pervious concrete driveway and master bedroom courtyard. Craftsman style fence, trellis, and stone façade added. Installed Fall 2007. House further remodeled in 2014. - [Sunnyvale SmartStation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sunnyvale-smartstation-pj-vj~2355968) - Location: Sunnyvale, CA - Photos: 18 - Description: This industrial site sorts and manages all the recycling for several cities in the Bay Area, in addition to containing an administration building with offices. The site manager has been dedicated to including all California native plants in the 3/4-acre planting areas. The site is managed according to Bay-Friendly and IPM principles and now supports a plethora of bees, pollinators, and lady bugs. Bay Pro Landscape Services manages the site. - [Nature's Inspiration](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/nature-s-inspiration-pj-vj~1492343) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 [See all 10 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/sustainable-landscape-designs-pfvwus-pf~1887446795) ## Ideabooks - [Xia Liu](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/113528473/list/xia-liu) — 18 ideas - [Gagliani](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/107851305/list/gagliani) — 11 ideas - [Modern plantings](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/92687065/list/modern-plantings) — 7 ideas - [Midcentury Modern](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/59929080/list/midcentury-modern) — 16 ideas - [James residence](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52553684/list/james-residence) — 6 ideas - [Eichler Front Garden](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/15415901/list/eichler-front-garden) — 1 idea - [Eichler patio](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4643679/list/eichler-patio) — 46 ideas - [Seat walls](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2667329/list/seat-walls) — 10 ideas - [Asian pergolas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2142545/list/asian-pergolas) — 14 ideas - [sdosaka's ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1861166/list/sdosaka-s-ideas) — 29 ideas [See all 10 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/sdosaka) ## Community Q&A **Q: Wooly Blue Curls - Trichostema lanatum** *(in California Gardening)* I had visitors yesterday day and I wanted to show off my beautiful Wooly Blue Curls in full flower to them. Instead I saw a completely wilted plant and today it is an even more obvious goner. How do you all keep rhis plant alive? i bought it in a five gallon container last October at an end of year sale and overwintered it in the container. I planted it out in May and watered it about weekly. I think I watered it just before this heat wave. Maybe that was a mistake. A: I am not an expert on propagating them, but have had some success with taking cuttings in the fall (after pruning), a little rooting hormone, and then place them in pure perlite. Keep everything nice and sterile as you do this as they are so susceptible to fungus. I don't even cover the pot, but you could mist them, and water the perlite when it the pot feels light. Hope this helps! --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-14.*