The picturesque design began to take shape as a large expanse of curvilinear sloping lawn surrounding the house on the west, south and eastern sides was installed. Long swaths of mufti-layered shrub massing delineated the edges of the lawn with single-species tree clusters arching toward and framing the architecture. - Vonn Marie May, Journal of San Diego History April 1990

Many of the same designers who helped shape the garden were peers and friends of George's, participating in several of his projects. He brought five prominent landscape architects and designers from out of state. San Diego architect William Templeton Johnson (whom Marston commissioned to design the Serra Museum at Presidio Park) made the last improvements in 1928, including designing a suite of outdoor furniture. Only one wood bench remains, simply embellished with a pattern of eucalyptus leaves on its back. This same motif was used on corbels in the teahouse and at the fountain. Throughout his life, George showed an affinity for sound planning and aesthetic expression, whether in his formal garden or in all of San Diego.

Courtesy Marston Family Collection