About Us

Classiflora Imports started in 1979 in outbuildings on a farm in Ongar Essex, a family run business employing two staff supplying dried flowers and floral sundries to the Floristry Trade. The company expanded into indoor plants for large Atriums and office reception areas imported from America. During this time there was an introduction to Zelari Piante in Pistoia Italy.

In 1983 the purchase of a 2 acre site in Goffs Oak was completed, broadening the working partnership between Classiflora and Zelari offering hardy plants into the UK market.

The partnership between Classiflora and Zelari at Goffs Oak over a 10 year period became stronger and the client base bigger. To accommodate the demand of plants for the UK market a further move was made to Crews Hill in 1995.

Between 1995 & 2005 the two companies grew together using "Marketing Ideas" such as "Fly and Buy" to encourage Garden Centre Plant Buyers to visit Pistoia Italy to hand pick the plants, and annual "Open Days" at the start of the season used to encourage plant buyers to come and see the range of plants on offer, complete with Mediterranean hospitality.

With the growing demand for Italian Specimen Plants and the ever increasing range from around Europe, Classiflora decided to move for the 3^rd and final time to Heathfield Nurseries Waltham Abbey.

On the 9^th March 2005, after 6 months of site clearance a complete purpose built nursery was opened to the trade. The 7 acre nursery with infrastructure consisting of,

1. 1,375sqm of Loading and despatch area.
2. 3 Docking Stations to speed up loading and unloading if lorries.
3. 1 Purpose build loading bay solely for Zelari stock.
4. 400sqm Office space with 2 Conference rooms.
5. 1500sqm of Glasshouse for displaying Palm, Citrus and Olives.
6. 400sqm of Polytunnel.
7. 300sqm of Shadehouse.
8. 6 acres of Outdoor standing area, fully stocked with Hardy plants.

To this day we now employ 17 full time staff, consisting of 4 Field sales people, 5 Office Staff, 3 in despatch, 2 Nursery workers, 2 Fork lift drivers and 1 delivery driver. The original founder of Classiflora back in 1979 Benito Castiglioni is still with us and plays an active part in the day to day operations here at Classiflora.