Edward Wilson Primary School

Delivered in two phases between 2024 and 2025, Meristem Design collaborated with Westminster City Council to install vibrant and engaging green infrastructure at Edward Wilson Primary School in North Westminster. Funded by the Greater London Authority’s School Superzones initiative, and as part of a wider effort to create healthier, greener, and safer environments for pupils and the surrounding community, Edward Wilson has successfully become Westminster’s first School Superzone and accredited Asthma Friendly school.

To support Edward Wilson Primary School’s ambition of becoming a healthier and more environmentally friendly space through targeted green infrastructure that improves air quality, enhances wellbeing, and supports biodiversity – particularly for children with additional needs.

Over both phase one and two:

• Green screens – Installation of 26.2m ivy screens in the playground to reduce air pollution
• Sensory garden – Creation of a 13m long sensory garden for the school’s new SEND resource centre filled with edible plants
• Living Wall – Designed and installed seven plant walls totalling 31.2m2 on the school’s exterior

Previously dominated by plain brickwork and urban features, the school has been transformed into a lush and vibrant space filled with evergreen plants, bringing year-round greenery to an otherwise grey urban setting. The green elements not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the school but also contribute to improved air quality and biodiversity within the area.

An especially meaningful aspect of this project is the reuse of plants that had originally been part of the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show 2025. Rather than letting them go to waste, these plants have found a new, purposeful home in the plant walls where they can continue to thrive and benefit the local community. The living wall plant palette was carefully curated to ensure durability, visual interest, and year-round texture. Among the species featured are:

• Alchemilla mollis – known for its soft, frothy lime-green flowers
• Pachysandra terminalis – a low-maintenance ground cover with glossy foliage
• Polystichum setiferum – a hardy evergreen fern that adds rich texture
• Muehlenbeckia complexa – a delicate but resilient climber
• Heuchera ‘Lime Marmalade’ – with vibrant lime-toned foliage for a splash of colour
• Campanula ‘Get Me Blue’ – offering cheerful blue blooms through the warmer months
• Lavandula – fragrant and pollinator-friendly, adding both scent and soft purple hues to the display

The installations serve as engaging living examples of sustainability and environmental awareness, providing students with daily exposure to nature while encouraging care and curiosity about the green world around them.