--- title: "JSL Landscape Design — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/jsl-landscape-design-pfvwus-pf~629233533 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~629233533.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "JSL Landscape Design" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/91d3c8150d52b91d_6973-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Sedona, Arizona 86336, United States" latitude: 34.8266 longitude: -111.7506 phone: "(480) 246-1400" website: http://sedonalandscapedesign.com rating: 4.9 review_count: 31 best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 129 last_updated: 2026-09-24 --- # JSL Landscape Design Original Houzz profile: [JSL Landscape Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/jsl-landscape-design-pfvwus-pf~629233533) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Sedona, AZ - **Serves:** West Sedona, Sedona, Big Park, Cornville, Remote work for all of Arizona, Village of Oak Creek (Big Park - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (31 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2016–2020), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 25,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Online consultation - 22 years in business Landscape Designer with Masters in Landscape Architecture specializing in residential design and sustainable principles. I have over 20 years of experience with extensive field construction knowledge making all of my designs practical, functional, affordable with aesthetic balance. From one-hour consultations to Master Plans, I cater to your particular situation. I offer free on-site initial consultations to see how I work best for you and for you to see how I work. ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Landscape Plans - Patio Design - Site Planning - Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Swimming Pool Design - Gazebo Design & Construction - Design Consultation - Outdoor Lighting Design - Deck Design - 3D Rendering - Project Management - Drafting - Edible Gardens - paver driveways and patios ### Areas Served - West Sedona - Sedona - Big Park - Cornville - Remote work for all of Arizona - Village of Oak Creek (Big Park ### Typical Job Cost $500 - 2,500 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | JSL Landscape Design | | Address | Sedona, Arizona 86336, United States | | Phone | (480) 246-1400 | | Website | http://sedonalandscapedesign.com | | License Number | formerly licensed | | Followers on Houzz | 129 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — http://facebook.com/john.leslie.5473 - LinkedIn — http://linkedin.com/johnstuartleslie - Blog — http://sedonalandscapedesign.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [JSL Landscape Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/jsl-landscape-design-pfvwus-pf~629233533) - **Website:** http://sedonalandscapedesign.com - **Phone:** (480) 246-1400 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2016–2020), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 31 reviews** ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Ray West, Nov. 2019** > John was the 5th landscaper I contacted in Sedona. Two were small independent companies. One could not supply examples of his work which he promised. One over booked. Two major companies. One promised a CAD design. We got a photo of the back yard with a couple of photo-shopped plants inserted. The other never kept a single appointment. His bid was 2 1/2 times the price of the JSL bid. > > We met with John. He listened to our specific ideas. Then improved on them. The work was top quality. Beautiful walkway and sitting area. Great plant selection. Very neat work. Workers polite. John is really talented. He is a man of few words. Quiet. Talented. Creative. He listens. He follows up on the work in progress. Work completed at bid price. We received a very good value for the price we paid. I would recommend John of JSL to anyone for landscape contracting. We are bragging and showing our backyard to all our neighbors and friends. **★★★★★ — D S, April 2019** > We called John because of a continuing problem with our new drip system installed by our builder. He came out promptly, correctly diagnosed the situation, and shortly thereafter fixed it at a reasonable cost. We are two pleased customers who both like and appreciate what John did for us. We highly recommend using him and plan to hire him for our other landscaping needs. **★★★★★ — Judith Faram, Oct. 2018** > After John redid my back yard and patio last year and all the plants he chose have since doubled in size I only had a problem with a Japanese Maple that got too much sun. As soon as I let him know, and I had bought a replacement plant for that spot, he came to replant the Maple somewhere else and planted the Grape Myrtle in its place. He even removed a pile of branches I had on the driveway ready for removal he took it away without even being asked. His knowledge and customer service is exemplary. **★★★★★ — Nikki Bell, Aug. 2017** > We engaged JSL Landscape Design Build to landscape our front and back yard areas including improving drainage, installing pavers, improving the watering system, planting low water shrubs/trees suitable to the local environment, installation of a fire pit, outdoor BBQ, outdoor covered area. We chose JSL as they had the in house expertise to deal with our drainage issues, general landscaping requirements and construction of a covered outdoor area, fire pit and BBQ area. > > John and his team did an excellent job in delivering on our key goals, both design wise and practically speaking (e.g., we wanted effective solutions to drainage issues and a low maintenance/low water usage landscape design). The landscaping efforts occurred over a period of 6 months due to the time required to permit construction of the outdoor covered area. JSL integrated new brickwork and pavers into the look and design of the existing house. The drainage was improved significantly (the key consideration in our mandate), but is also in keeping with the landscape design. We love our new and improved backyard area and have thoroughly enjoyed the fire pit on cold nights and becoming BBQ experts. Communication lines were open and John was timely in his response to our queries. We have no hesitations in recommending JSL Landscape Design Build. **★★★★★ — Mark Dugan, July 2017** > John has help me over the last year. He is very professional and has a creative mind. > The employees he uses are also very professional. **★★★★★ — Roger Espinosa, July 2017** > Very Professional, a pleasure to work for. Very innovative designs. I am a welding contractor and John has designed several gates which we were interesting and challenging to build. > I have found him to be easy to work for and very honest in all dealings. **★★★★★ — Leslie Deese, Jan. 2017** > When we first called JSL we didn’t know exactly what we wanted our yard to look like, we just wanted it to look great. John talked with us at length beforehand, incorporating our ideas into his unique vision, and then put us at ease with a detailed contract that listed every item, so we knew going in exactly what we were getting and what it would cost. During the project, he was very generous with his time, walking the yard with us whenever we had questions. Now our landscaping is everything we’d hoped for and more, including a number of custom features, including a fire pit, custom gate and fencing, and a beautiful two-tiered water feature that blends perfectly with the surroundings. Our experience with John was very pleasant and rewarding and we highly recommend him. **★★★★★ — provoltj, Oct. 2016** > JSL recently completed a patio & landscaping project in our backyard. The experience was great from start to finish. We love the finished product and the process was stress free. John was professional, walked us through the plans, had ideas and suggestions and completed things on time and in the manner we expected. I would absolutely recommend him to others. **★★★★★ — samoradina, April 2016** > We hired JSL Exteriors Landscape to install a paver driveway. The owner responded quickly to the request and offered us a very fair bid. When we agreed to the amount, the owner was quick to provide a detailed and thorough contract. He also recommended we look at the pavers in person through a source that he uses locally. This was so helpful as we were able to quickly ascertain the right colors and pattern for our home. The owner kept in communication with us and answered our questions quickly. The work was just completed and we could not be happier. Our neighbors have stopped to look at the driveway and many have asked for JSL's contact information. We love our new, beautiful paver driveway and the experience with JSL. We highly recommend JSL. You will not be disappointed. **★★★★★ — Kaibab Landscaping, March 2016** > I needed a landscaping plan quickly for a project I was building in Sedona. John was > extremely responsive, met me at the location almost immediately and completed a > thorough plan in a short time period. His designs were excellent and I will > definitely be using him again. Highly recommend. **★★★★★ — bookins94, Sept. 2015** > John Leslie (JSL) was used for two projects. The first, IN January, involved breaking up an old concrete driveway and replacing it with paver stones and a french drain. At the same time a concrete patio was removed and replaced with red rock flagstones. The second project involved attaching ledgestone to three pillars on the flagstone patio and to an outside atrium enclosure to an indoor shower. He also tore up and relaid a drainage ditch at the front of the house along with french drainpipe. > We obtained JSL after a recommendation from our neighbor who did similar work. She told us his estimates were below others and his work was excellent, which we could see by looking at her driveway. Although we were away from our house for JSL's work, we were kept abreast of his work via emails with photos as work progressed. There was a miscommunication we had about one small area which was immediately rectified...again, while we were not there. I found John Leslie to be a very forthright and honest man. If he cannot do what is requested, he will tell you so and maybe recommend someone who could do the work. My wife and I are very satisfied with him, would use him again, and highly recommend him. **★★★★★ — Sheryl Paulson, Sept. 2015** > John was a true professional from the moment we started working with him on the design plans. He allowed some of my ideas into those plans which I appreciated. There was deconstruction to be done prior to construction and there were a million details to sync. His years of experience helped to move the project forward seamlessly day by day. He was always great at responding to questions on email. He has a great crew that are talented, have well-developed skills, and enjoy working together. He was on site frequently enough to manage the project well and answer our questions. We were thrilled with the quality of his work, and the end result. Our back yard is gorgeous, full of year-round color and texture using plants that will thrive in our desert climate, and are drought-tolerant. We couldn't be happier. ## Selected projects - [Backyard Pergola, BBQ island and Fire Pit Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-pergola-bbq-island-and-fire-pit-remodel-pj-vj~2195063) - Location: Sedona, AZ - Photos: 15 - Description: Project involved removing a clear lexan patio cover and replace with a solid cover structure extended out 12 feet beyond the existing cover using two brick veneered columns to blend in with the existing brick work. Modified the end of an existing brick planter into gas burning fire pit and added a new bbq island with new pavers to replace the gray concrete surfaces. - [Before and After of 8 Different Projects](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/before-and-after-of-8-different-projects-pj-vj~1292952) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 30 - [Landscape Remodel Sedona Golf Resort](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/landscape-remodel-sedona-golf-resort-pj-vj~1203340) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - [The Spiral Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-spiral-garden-pj-vj~806219) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 26 - Description: I call this the Spiral Garden because of the subtle use of the spiral symbolism. The sculpture in the background in the raised planter is entitled Tunnel of Light, a 4 foot steel spiral inspired by a story the sculptor heard from a friend who had a near death experience. The spiral shape was used in several spots around the landscape as a theme without going wild. Part of the spiral inspiration can be seen in the undulating snake like flowing line of the seatwall. The rest of the photos just des… - [Fireplaces and Firepits](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fireplaces-and-firepits-pj-vj~1197036) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 18 - [Asian Style Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/asian-style-gardens-pj-vj~1196883) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 16 - [Waterfeatures and Fountains](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/waterfeatures-and-fountains-pj-vj~134609) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 34 - [Contemporary Feng Shui Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-feng-shui-garden-pj-vj~134576) - Location: Sedona, AZ - Photos: 8 - Description: Front yard curb appeal techniques are very much in line with Feng Shui principles that help to improve the flow of Chi towards a home's entrance. There was really no "yard" in the previous entry, primarily a concrete pathway with fence/gate to approach the front door. Plantings were sporadically planted over the years resulting in an overgrown collection lacking any kind of theme or function. Solutions: 1) Remove the psychological barrier of the uninviting fencing. 2) Use deer resistant and nati… - [Outdoor Entertaining in Small Backyard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/outdoor-entertaining-in-small-backyard-pj-vj~46557) - Location: Sedona, AZ - Photos: 8 - Description: Many subdivisions are built on smaller sized lots leaving limited room to squeeze in many use areas. Here is a 20 foot deep backyard where we arranged a new bbq island, masonry fireplace, synthetic lawn and seating. We had nothing to deal with other than an existing above ground spa. Part of the challenge was to deal with a powerpole and a 5 foot Public Utility Easement setback. A 30 foot tall powerpole is hard to screen especially when its so close inside a backyard. We are using bamboo that wi… - [Gardens with meaning and symbolism](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gardens-with-meaning-and-symbolism-pj-vj~10085) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 33 [See all 10 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/jsl-landscape-design-pfvwus-pf~629233533) ## Ideabooks - [Rim Shadows Landscape](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/181744468/list/rim-shadows-landscape) — 11 ideas - [Sedona Ranch](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/159216962/list/sedona-ranch) — 35 ideas - [Reggie Way](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/155945132/list/reggie-way) — 2 ideas - [mid century modern](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/152588982/list/mid-century-modern) — 1 idea - [Arbuckle](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/111401590/list/arbuckle) — 3 ideas - [Rustic Contemporary](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/56881150/list/rustic-contemporary) — 7 ideas - [Painted Cliffs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/68809548/list/painted-cliffs) — 1 idea - [Fountains](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/53793015/list/fountains) — 5 ideas - [ramada ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/17315105/list/ramada-ideas) — 1 idea [See all 9 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/jleslie) ## Community Q&A **Q: Front Landscape Re-do -- Help!** *(in Landscape Design)* I know there are lots of very talented and knowledgeable people on these forums - hoping one or some might have some help for me. Having to start over with shade plants after 25 years. What didn’t die from lack of sun died as a result of the ’21 storm. I'm having design paralysis. My dilemma is to provide evergreen structure along the front of my house so I can fill in with perennials, etc. I just can’t figure out what and where. Existing Details: \- Zone 7b, West facing, North Texas locale, extreme temps, Shade to Part shade as some areas get about 3-5 hrs starting around 11am Alkaline soils; Mostly well drained except for North wall of garage which is just slow to dry out (except when temps are 90+) Bur Oaks with downward arching limbs - they need to be pruned Yaupon Holly on the south corner at the entrance, but it was planted too deep when it was moved several years ago and does not get enough sun Dwarf Burford Holly is at North edge of garage, but it blocks our house number from certain angles My thought was maybe a Needlepoint (Oakleaf) Holly at the NW outside corner about 6 ft from house; an Oakleaf Hydrangea in the NW inside corner by the garage even though it’s deciduous Other plants that I would like to possibly incorporate are David Viburnum Aralia Soft Caress or Indigo Flair Mahonia Aspidistra (Cast Iron plant) Ferns like Autumn Fern, Wood Fern Distylium like Cinnamon Girl I will not plant ligustrum or nandina, and would like to avoid dwarf Yaupon as we had them already for over 20yrs. Also have no idea what to do with the space around the trees as the bed is just a contiguous form. I could use y'alls help! FYI - extreme temps example 06/25/23 100F with heat index 118F. And that's sustained for most of the day. Winter can and often does drop below 32F into single digits and below. Thanks! A: Some taller shrubs to consider to soften garage wall - Mahonia aquafolium, Butterfly bush (provided it gets plenty of sun). Basic design is taller shrubs in the background and against the house but not as a hedge. Medium shrubs then tier to lower shrubs in the foreground and along sidewalk. Break up spaces with accents like sizeable boulders with accent grasses (Red Yucca, Pink Muhley). Smaller accents grass like shrubs include LIriope and Thubagacea (society garlic). Groundcovers - Sedum (cold hardy types like Red Dragon and Lemon zinger) along with Ajuga. I would not just buy whatever a nursery says would grow well in the shade or sun or whatever. You need a design prepared to establish the placement. A good garden center should have a service to provide that or at least a paid consultation. If not hire a local landscape designer. **Q: Plants to soften new hot tub** *(in Landscape Design)* We recently installed a new Jacuzzi Hot Tub and it sticks out like a sore thumb. Any ideas for planting around it with succulents? We are in San Diego zone 9b. Also the electrical shut off switch is hideous but is necessary by code. What can I grow to hide it but still remain accessible? A: Not much you can do here since you need to keep the front equip access panel open and an area to use the cover lifter. Maybe a few large pots with Aloe, Euphorbiums that could be moved (put them on a rolling platform) **Q: Stopping water erosion on a slope** *(in Landscape Design)* Hello! I have just recently bought a house, and have a large ditch developing in my backyard due to storm run-off. This had been filled in with dirt and rocks from when I had the fence installed. The depth it is now is largely due to 2 inches of rain that fell yesterday. There'd been a little erosion from previous weather, but nothing like this. Looking out the windows, there was basically a small creek going down that ditch, powerful enough to move the gravel that had been filled in outside the fence. I've been talking with a landscape designer, and we are putting in a rock swale on the downhill side of the fence, leading to a rain garden with native plants, so that part should be ok. The yard is intended for agility training with my dogs, and I need to have the area where that ditch is relatively even with the rest of the yard to minimize risks when the dogs are running full speed. Several landscapers I have talked to have mentioned either french drains or dry wells, and either diverting the water behind the fence at the back of the yard (which is uphill, so that trenching is going to be extensive), or around to the front of the house (not too thrilled with this, since I had to have the driveway jacked due to a void beneath it, and sending more water that way doesn't seem like the best idea.) I don't mind the water running in that ditch.... I mind the ditch that it is making by doing so. Would placing a french drain in that already-existing ditch work? Or maybe running one perpendicular to the slope at the top of the hill and running the drain pipe for it in that ditch down to the rock swale? Or any other ideas? I will be trying to get some vegetation (most likely grass) growing in the area, but with the way that rill was running, it's going to be hard to keep the dirt there long enough for the plants to get established. I am open to any suggestions that people may have! A: At the top of the slope, perpendicular to the direction of flow. install a french drain (trench backfilled with gravel) long enough to capture the source water that is creating the concentrated flow. Then install a sod lawn as soon as sod is available. **Q: Artificial turf question** *(in Landscape Design)* Hello all, we are installing artificial turf in our backyard and I have two companies I am choosing between. For those who know - is a weed barrier necessary? One company is telling me it isn't; the other company says it is. My thought is that it won't hurt but maybe that's wrong. A second question is about our current irrigation system. Our thought was to keep in the sprinklers in the corners to "rinse" the turf every now and again. I totally understand the theory that a sprinkler could break and that would cost a lot to fix the turf. But in reality, how often does that happen? For those who have turf, how often are you finding yourself spraying it down? This isn't a post on the pluses and minuses of installing turf - it is a done deal, but I would like some professional thoughts on the above questions. Thank you in advance! A: We install turf quite often. Weed barrier is typically not a requirement, but it couldn't hurt as you state. If used, I would put it down on the excavated soil below the imported gravel base. If you are replacing a natural grass lawn with synthetic turf and want to keep the sprinklers, I would cap off the heads that are inside the turf area and only have heads just beyond the edge of the turf. We only keep existing sprinkler systems that are dedicated to a lawn as a way to cool down the turf during hot weather as synthetic turf does get hot in full sun and hot weather. **Q: Flagstone Path in Mulch** *(in Landscape Design)* Hello, We recently removed the grass (weeds) in our backyard and replaced with compost and mulch. We will be creating a wildscape, installing native plants and other features. First, we are installing a stepping stone path using flagstones. Given that the compost and mulch has already been layed, what is the best way to dry lay the flagstones? \[Note: Perhaps laying the mulch and compost first before the flagstones may not be ideal. But it is what we were instructed to do by our landscape designer.\] Thank you! A: I understand why the designer instructed you to do the compost and mulch first provided the compost was mixed with the underlying soil and then the mulch thrown on top.... This does not mean to simply place the flagstones on top of the mulch, it just means to apply the mulch compost first because placing the flagstone first would make it harder to mix in the compost...So its not necessarily a mistake by the designer. In any case, the flagstones should be set on a fine gravel or sand base. **Q: Should we do any backyard landscaping prior to sale?** *(in Landscape Design)* My wife and I are debating on what to do with our back yard prior to sale in the coming weeks. I'd like to simply clean it up but leave the blank slate of dirt with a pool in the middle. She would like to put gravel such as decomposed granite everywhere. It would take about 15-20 tons of gravel to cover the entire yard.I am leaning towards doing nothing because any potential buyer could do anything they want. My thought is that if I bought a house with gravel and I didn't like the gravel, I'd have to pull that up prior, so just an extra step. We are in Arizona. Thoughts? A: Given the real estate market, (I live in AZ too) I doubt a prospective buyer would use the unlandscaped yard as a negotiating tactic to justify their offer. Its a seller's market and chances are you will have multiple offers once it is listed - provided its not over priced. Don't cover it with gravel. Feature it as a "clean slate" ready to be custom landscaped per the buyer's wishes. Realtors are good at spinning an otherwise negative feature into a positive attribute. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-24.*