Gardeners create beautiful living wall inspired by ball’s Where The Wild Things Are theme
If you’ve passed through Green Templeton College’s Lankester Quad in recent days you may have noticed a new addition to the landscape: a beautiful living wall.
The beautiful living wall is situated in Lankester Quad
The eye-catching burst of lush plants and colour was created by Head Gardener Michael Pirie and Assistant Gardener Carolyn Serra, after the Green Templeton Ball Committee 2019 first floated the idea of a living wall that complemented this year’s ball theme, Where the Wild Things Are.
In March, the committee contacted Michael to ask if a living wall could be built that reflected the wonderfully vibrant world imagined by author Maurice Sendak in his classic 1963 children’s picture book.
Assistant Gardener Carolyn Serra explaining the features of the living wall during its construction in June 2019
Michael and Carolyn were inspired by Sendak’s illustrations of animals dangling from tree branches, surrounded by luscious foliage, and began creating a jungle-esque wall filled with draping plants and floral displays.
The base of the structure was crafted from plywood, with paving grids slotted together to keep the contents in place. A mixture of compost and grit was used to ensure the wall wouldn’t be too heavy or get too waterlogged.
The base was created with plywood
Paving grids were used to keep the mixture of compost and grit in place and secure the plants
Features of the wall include these stunning Calibrachoa
To bring the magic of the jungle to Green Templeton, the winding grasses forming the tree trunk-like structure at the centre of the wall are Ophiopogen planiscarpus ‘Nigrescens’, surrounded by Aglaomorpha cor ferns.
Woven throughout are trailing plants Calibrachoa, Alyssum ‘Wonder White’, Lobelia ‘Cobalt Blue’, and Herniaria glabra.
Parsley and chamomile were dotted around the wall to provide a wonderful scent on a sunny day, while the ball committee added their own carnations for extra vibrancy and colour.
The wall has been a popular spot for photography, with students cocooned by greenery as they pose for pictures, as if transported into Sendak’s magical world. It will be situated in Lankester Quad throughout the summer.
You may also like to view Michael and Carolyn’s stunning Garden of Ancient Greece in the Radcliffe Observatory gardens opposite the greenhouse, which contains allusions to the world of classical antiquity and the architecture of our iconic observatory.
The Radcliffe Observatory is having a conservation makeover...
Behind the printed wrap is a complex network of poles and platforms, giving specialist teams access to every part of this remarkable building.
The Observatory is now undergoing a new phase of work that combines careful conservation of its historic fabric with major environmental upgrades.
Protecting one of Oxford`s most iconic landmarks for generations to come. 🏛️
Over the past week, we have celebrated the extraordinary Green Templeton community through events, volunteering, competitions, challenges and fundraising for student support. It has been wonderful to see alumni, fellows, supporters, friends, staff and students coming together to show our support for students.
From the Garden Party and the Photography Competition, to the Memory Wall and Biscuit Decorating Competition, the week has been filled with moments that reflect the warmth, inclusivity and spirit of our college.
Thank you to everyone who made a gift, attended an event, volunteered their time or followed along throughout the week. Together, we have raised over £65,000 for student support. These gifts will help students pursue opportunities, navigate financial pressures, participate fully in college life and thrive during their time at Oxford.
#ThankYou
#GivingWeek
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📸 Congratulations to Sophia Hall (MSc Medical Anthropology, 2025), winner of the Green Templeton College 2026 Photography Competition!
Sophia`s reflection on Vincent captured perfectly the sense of belonging that so many people find at Green Templeton.
A huge thank you to everyone who entered the competition and to everyone who voted. Your support also helped unlock £1,000 of funding as part of our Community & Giving Week challenge!
What a way to start Community & Giving Week 🤩
Saturday`s Garden Party brought together alumni, fellows, friends from across the UK and beyond to celebrate one another and support current and future students.
On the day, many shared their college memories on our `memory wall` - from today on display in the Stables Bar.
We are now asking our global community to share their memories of Green, Templeton and Green Templeton, and help us unlock an additional £1,000 for student support once we reach 50 memories.
You can email development@gtc.ox.ac.uk with a picture or share a video or audio via the link in the comments.
#givingweek
Community & Giving Week is here!
Over the next seven days, we’re celebrating the friendships, opportunities and support that define life at Green Templeton.
Join us through community challenges, volunteering, student stories and favourite college memories.
Let us celebrate the people who make GTC so special and follow our progress via the link in bio.
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#oxford
