Maintaining the living walls at the home of Wimbledon

As iconic as Centre Court and the manicured turf of the All England Lawn Tennis Club itself is the deep green living facade adorning the walls of the world’s most famous venue for the sport - Wimbledon.

Forming almost the very fabric of the SW19 destination are the clinging tendrils and glossy foliage of what we all assume is traditional, evergreen ivy.

Its summer colour changes dramatically in autumn, however, as the plant covering so many buildings turns to rich, vibrant red and orange as autumn descends on the Club’s hallowed acres.

For the species, Boston Ivy, is not ivy at all. Parthenocissus tricuspidata Veitchii is a member of the grape family in fact, as Wimbledon head gardener Martyn Falconer explains.”

“The creeper-clad walls of the Centre Court complex is a distinguishing feature of the grounds. The deep-leaf cover swathes the iconic green paint of the masonry (Permaglaze Spruce Green 14C39).”

“Technically, Boston Ivy is a flowering plant unrelated to true ivy,” Martyn continues. “Native to Japan, Korea and Northern and Eastern China, it is also known as Japanese creeper, grape ivy, Japanese ivy and woodbine.”

Martyn Falconer, Head Gardener

Just in case another name had sprung to mind – as it had with me – he states: “It is very specifically not Virginia Creeper but a close relative of it, though it provides a good backdrop to the bust of 1977 ladies champion Virginia Wade, which is displayed along the clubhouse facade.” Most appropriate for so golden a moment in British tennis history.

Nothing stands still at the All England Club. Just by Number 1 Court, transformed in 2019 with retractable roof and enhanced spectator capacity of nearly 12,500, there’s more living walls to have emerged, Martyn reports.

“Either side of the Big Screen facing Aorangi Terrace, beside Number 1 Court, are 242m2 of living wall.” Contrasting with the Boston Ivy sole occupancy of Centre Court are no fewer than 14,000 plants across fourteen different flowering varieties. “One of the gardening team is tasked with looking after this living wall,” says Martyn, “which is fed and watered four times a day, depending on the time of year. It’s a soilless system, with a dripline irrigation system sitting in between the plants.”

Selecting flowering species ensures the venue looks its best for The Championship, he adds, “whereas the Boston Ivy is always evergreen in summer.”

Indoors too, vertical living walls play their part. These are 1m2 areas that help compartmentalise various areas during Wimbledon fortnight. “They’re a massive enhancement to the 42-acre site,” says Martyn, who can boast 26 years on site, and in his present post since 2014, heading twelve full-time staff.

“In the 2006 to 2008 redevelopment of Centre Court, we had to strip off the old vines and replant from scratch,” Martyn recalls. “We put in the most mature vines we could, on canes that reached up to the height of the balcony.”

The resilience of the plant more than repaid the disturbance it had endured though. “The ivy did well to cover the masonry,” Martyn says, “although it doesn’t fair so well on the north side because it only gets the evening sun.”

Upkeep of the energetic Boston Ivy demands continuing commitment by the garden team. “In the height of summer, the plant wants to grow up and can shoot 12 to 18 inches in a week so we have to keep it in check and we use a scissor lift, which can reach up to 64ft, to trim foliage from around windows, vents and the Rolex clock (a prominent, and vital feature on Centre Court wall).”

“The work takes a lot of time and we use mainly hand shears, secateurs and hand trimmers to cut back growth where it’s needed. One of the team can take a week to prune right round Centre Court to ensure it looks its best during The Championships. It’s up close and personal, intricate, though manageable work.”

A self-clinging species, the creeper holds a cherished place in the hearts of all who love and work at Wimbledon.

Images dating back to 1923 clearly show it on the walls of Centre Court, maybe to soften the original concrete structure, Martyn believes.

“When the retractable roof was installed, we stripped the whole building of the creeper and applied render,” Martyn adds. “We spotted just a little bit of damage (to the structure) then added more (to restore the walls). “You have to be on your guard and check to ensure everything’s okay – all part and parcel of ongoing maintenance but the team enjoys the work, it’s fun despite the challenges.”

Such a vast area of living foliage attracts wildlife. The wall growing either side of the screen outside Number 1 Court attracts wrens, Martyn reports. “They like it, surprisingly. The Boston Ivy on the other hand draws wagtails and blue tits, which nest in it.”

Temporary living walls also grace the members’ lawn and hospitality suites during Wimbledon fortnight to further enhance The Championship experience. “They create impact throughout the event, helped by improved watering systems. There are a couple of indoor permanent moss walls too.”

After tidying up following Wimbledon fortnight, thoughts turn to autumn, when Martyn plans the winter scheme – planting some 12,000 bulbs to dress member areas and around the museum building. “We’re always doing something,” Martyn states.

Wimbledon maintains its living walls through a combination of automated irrigation, regular monitoring and hands-on horticultural care from dedicated staff to ensure they remain healthy and vibrant year-round.

Key maintenance practices include:

• Automated irrigation: The living walls use a soil-less system equipped with an intelligent, automated irrigation and feeding system that provides a nutrient-rich solution to the plants multiple times a day (up to four times daily during the Championships). This system is monitored remotely to ensure optimal water usage and performance.
• Continuous care and trimming: A dedicated team of horticultural staff, sometimes using hydraulic platforms due to the height of the walls, provides continuous care. They regularly trim the fast-growing plants and perform general upkeep to prevent them from overgrowing windows or clocks and to maintain the desired aesthetic.
• Expert collaboration: The AELTC horticultural team works closely with the living wall’s original installers, Biotecture, to ensure long-term health and maintenance.
• Pest and wildlife management: Staff remain vigilant for potential issues such as pests or nesting birds (goldfinches and kestrels have been spotted) and manage them appropriately.
• Seasonal adjustments: While the core structure and hardy plants provide year-round interest, additional plants are added in the spring to ensure the walls look their best for the Wimbledon fortnight in the summer. The plant species selected are designed to thrive in all seasons and conditions.
• Sustainability focus: The living walls are part of Wimbledon’s broader sustainability and biodiversity efforts, chosen for their ability to insulate buildings, absorb carbon emissions, and attract local insect and bird life.

Strange but true

Question: What does Wimbledon’s Boston Ivy have in common with its grass courts?

Answer: Chalk. The creeper secretes calcium carbonate, which acts as an adhesive pad that attaches to the wall, while the play lines of the courts are marked out with a chalk-based substance.

The living wall story may still be unfinished, however across the road from the All England Club lie 82 acres of what was Wimbledon Park golf course, now tended by three of Martyn’s team and scheduled for redevelopment as The Championships qualifying venue – a status it will assume from Roehampton to create a single site for the purpose with more than thirty courts planned.

The Capability Brown landscaped park, once owned by the Spencer family, is home to some notable trees, including the venerable Veteran Oak. Within the boundary of Merton and Wandsworth borough, the estate will serve a dual function, with some 26 acres to be set aside as a public park.

“This will be a massive benefit for the public,” says Martin.