Thorncroft Clematis

Thorncroft Clematis, a nursery specialising in clematis and climbers

Thorncroft Clematis is an independent UK nursery dedicated to growing and selling clematis and climbing plants. Its main activity is mail order across the country, complemented by a Click & Collect service at the nursery. The company presents itself as a specialist in mail order clematis and states that it has over 35 years of experience in growing and selling these plants, with customers in the UK, Europe and other parts of the world.

A catalogue of nearly 500 varieties

The site describes the range as the UK's most comprehensive selection of climbers, with nearly 500 plants available. The catalogue is organised by practical growing criteria and by collections:

• Selection by pruning type: tidy prune (Group 1), light prune (Group 2) and hard prune (Group 3).
• Selection by conditions: dry and hot areas, shade, windy aspects, attractive to bees, ground cover.
• Selection by use or interest: cut flowers, double and semi-double flowers, clematis for beginners, for collectors, gift ideas.
• Collections and ranges: Heritage Range, J van Zoest, Raymond Evison, Royal Collection, Patio Clematis and new introductions.
• Botanical groups: Armandii, Atragene, Cirrhosa, Diversifolia, Florida, Forsteri, Heracleifolia, Integrifolia, Montana, Recta, Tangutica, Texensis and Viorna, Viticella, among others.
• In addition to clematis, the catalogue includes companion climbers and plant care and gift items.

Featured varieties and catalogue prices

The home page shows a selection of varieties with prices that, at the time of analysis, ranged from £21 to £23 per plant. These include Pamela, Andante, Pernille 'Zo09113', New Love, x durandii, Alba (integrifolia), Little Lemons 'Zo14100', Comtesse de Bouchaud, Tie Dye, Yukiokoshi, Black Prince, alternata, Queen Mother 'Zoqum', Andromeda, Dark Eyes, Freda, Sweet Summer Love and Prince William 'Zo08171'. Some are presented as rare or collectable. The Pernille listing states that it was introduced to the UK by Thorncroft Clematis at the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show in 2017, and the Little Lemons listing notes its origin at the Dutch nursery Jan van Zoest.

Awards and track record

The company states that it has won twelve gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, as well as other awards and distinctions from various exhibitions and events. It also mentions a major award received in 1998 for its mail order service, which it has continued to develop since then. The site includes sections on flower show results, talks and lectures, and press coverage.

Team and customer service

Thorncroft Clematis describes itself as a small independent nursery with a team of three people: Heather manages the nursery, while Gertie and Mary-Anne take care of plant care, order picking, packing and dispatch. The company emphasises its commitment to advising customers so that their plants thrive in the garden and offers growing guides, pruning advice, information on growing with roses and a frequently asked questions section.

Winter closure and ordering schedule

The site announced a seasonal closure: the last dispatch of the year would take place on 25 November 2026 and dispatch would resume on 1 February 2027. It also indicated that no orders would be taken from 23 November until the New Year.

Location and contact

Phone: 07421 260413 · Email: sales@thorncroftclematis.co.uk