The Guernsey Clematis Nursery produces approximately 3 million young clematis plants annually, for export to all parts of the globe, with our biggest markets being the UK, North America and Europe. We also produce a small number of other climbers for the UK.
The Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd is based on the picturesque island of Guernsey, approximately 100 miles from the UK and 18 miles from the coast of France. It enjoys a very mild climate, ideal for growing clematis.
The business was formed in 1984 by Raymond Evison and specialises in the production of young clematis.

The Facilities

The Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd., started by Raymond Evison with a one acre glasshouse site in the spring of 1985, now covers some 8,5 acres (3,5 hectares) of glasshouses on the Domarie, Avondale, Montrose and Braye vineries. The company employs up to 90 people at the height of its production, employing as many local people as possible. The company is accredited to ISO 9001: 2000 and is recognized as the leading clematis nursery in the world.

Modern production process and despatch

The old vineries have been up-dated and modernised during the last 10-15 years. The 5,000 square metre (1acre) propagation block of glass on the Braye Vinery is extremely modern with ebb and flow mobile tables on which the young cuttings are grown.  Growing conditions for plants are entirely controlled by computer and the Nursery is totally committed to respect the environment: it uses an environmentally friendly integrated pest control system, recycles most of its water and uses night screens to avoid light pollution. It is wholly committed to keeping Guernsey 'green'. Please read our Environmental Policy here.

From such production facilities come some of the best quality healthy young clematis plants. These are grown by leading growers in the USA, UK and the E.U, who then provide the Garden Centres with the best quality plants and the newest cultivars.

At Guernsey Clematis Nursery, 3 million clematis are produced annually, i.e.  25% of the world market for young clematis plants. At the height of production, 30 to 45, 000 cuttings are made each day. 
 
Machines mix compost and fill small pots with the correct amount ready for the insertion of the rooted cuttings. The pots are placed directly onto large mobile benches interconnecting 4 acres of glasshouses. These benches allow watering and feeding from below, so that the foliage is always kept dry and to reduce the risk of fungal disease.

In addition,  many  other environmentally friendly programmes have been implemented at The Guernsey Clematis Nursery for the conservation and recycling of energy, water, compost and other materials.

Raymond Evison

Raymond Evison started and still wholly owns the Guernsey Clematis Nursery. Raymond also owns and manages another company called Raymond J. Evison Ltd  which was formed in 1997.  It looks after the marketing and licensing of plants, publishing of books, lectures and exhibitions and most importantly the breeding and development of new cultivars under a JV with the world famous rose grower Poulsen Roser A/S.