The best online flower delivery services for streamlining your gifting quest
Here’s what you need to know about opting for online flower delivery and the best places to shop this year
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Flower delivery has come on in leaps and bounds in the past five years. That means that it's never been easier to conjure up a gorgeous bouquet for a last-minute gift for her, a time-honoured Mother's Day present or a Valentine’s Day moment (even when it’s not Valentine’s Day). It also means you can't get away with using the petrol station as your go-to flower shop anymore.
Now, flower delivery services such as Bloom & Wild, Flowerbx and the best from Selfridges all offer delivery — in many instances for either next- or nominated-day — on beautiful and diverse flowers for almost every conceivable occasion, from red roses for an anniversary to chrysanthemums for a bereavement. Many of them now also allow for the building of hampers, giving you even more chance of putting together a gift that's better than any of her exes have managed to muster.
Chances are that flowers (yes, even letterbox flowers) are exactly the thing to soothe your mum-related gifting anxieties… whether you buy a bunch by itself, as part of a larger bundle, or as the beginning of a rolling subscription that’ll see cut flowers turn up at their front door at intervals.
Below, you’ll find a slate of the best letterbox flowers and delivery services operating in the UK. From M&S to haute florists coming out of London’s Selfridges, all are gifting hubs favoured by British GQ writers and editors, particularly when we’ve left buying a gift to the last conceivable minute. And if you're not so much a flower guy, fear not: we've listed some of our favourite bouquets from each outlet as suggestions.
SKIP TO: What are GQ's best online flower delivery services? | What should you look for when buying flowers | Does the size of the bouquet matter when you buy flowers online? | Are there any flower trends to be aware of at the moment? | Are boxed letterbox flowers OK? | How can you tell if online flowers are going to be fresh?
What are GQ's best online flower delivery services?
- Best online flower delivery service: Bloom & Wild, from £25 at bloomandwild.com
- Best flower subscription service: Arena Flowers, from £25 at arenaflowers.com
- Best luxury flower delivery service: Moyses Stevens, from £50 at selfridges.com
- Best letterbox flowers: Flowerbx, from £40 at flowerbx.com
- Best for red roses: _A_ppleyard, from £24.99 at appleyardflowers.com
- Best affordable flower delivery service: Marks & Spencer, from £25 at marksandspencer.com
What should you look for when buying flowers?
Following the same principles you do when buying something more expensive — a tattoo, perhaps, or new knitwear — can’t hurt when it comes to buying flowers, even though you probably won’t be spending anywhere near as much. What are those principles? Looking for a florist with an excellent reputation is your first port of call. Second up, it’ll pay to opt for somewhere with great customer reviews. Now you’re sure your giftee will receive a luxe bouquet, have a think about what types of flowers you’re going to buy. "There are lots of beautiful flowers around to rival traditional roses,” Rosebie Morton, founder of The Real Flower Company tells us. “Think about all the spring narcissi and gorgeous, mad-coloured tulips. One might even find sweet peas if the sun has been shining.”
Carnations, orchids and pink hydrangeas also make for a great romantic gesture, while sunflowers and daffodils connote friendship and lilies and chrysanthemums sympathy.
Does the size of the bouquet matter when you buy flowers online?
While nothing says how much someone means to you like an ostentatious arrangement delivered to one's desk or door, less can also often be more with flowers. “It's the composition and message within the flowers, not the size that counts,” says Morton. So, do your research and coyly find out which flowers, colours and scents do it for them.
Are there any flower trends to be aware of at the moment?
Aside from the obvious seasonality, Morton has witnessed one change that transcends the calendar year. “We’re seeing a great amount of interest for a return to nature and a more relaxed, wild approach to flower arrangements,” she says, also noting the ongoing increase in demand for British flowers in handcrafted poseys.
Are boxed letterbox flowers OK?
When you buy flowers online, some florists will offer the option to order either hand-picked, hand-delivered, hand-tied bouquets, or a letterbox bunch that's cheaper and sometimes more practical if you know the recipient won’t be home to receive them. “They’re definitely OK,” says Morton, “but they can be a bit restrictive because the flowers need to be quite strong and sturdy to withstand the travel and landing on the doormat! Delicate flowers, such as scented roses, may not enjoy this.”
How can you tell if online flowers are going to be fresh?
Online florists, like any other company, are only as good as their reputation. “Make sure that you buy from a company that prides itself on its quality, sustainability and provenance,” says Morton. “Preferably, buy from somewhere that grows their own. That way there’s a much higher chance that the flowers will be fresh.”
Now, here’s our pick of the best flower delivery services in 2024…
1/15Best Overall Flower Delivery Service: Bloom & Wild
- Our pick: The Hallie, £30
- Delivery options: Royal Mail tracked delivery or DPD, free next-day delivery
- Letterbox options? Yes
- Why we love it: Long-lasting with plenty of affordable options
Bloom & Wild delivers a selection of beautiful flowers directly through the letterbox, all packaged in a way that keeps them fresh but also easy to deliver. And to make things even more exciting, you can even sign up for an ongoing subscription for your giftee, delivering specially picked floral designs at a frequency of your choosing. We'd say as far as value for money goes, there's no beating Bloom & Wild for quality, floral arrangements and freshness. From £25. bloomandwild.com
2/15Best Letterbox Flowers: Flowerbx
- Our pick: Pink Sweet Avalanche Roses, from £80
- Delivery options: Complimentary standard delivery, Next day and Same Day Delivery in London, Timed delivery
- Letterbox options? Yes
- Why we love it: Available with same-day delivery in London, more unique flower options
No flower lasts forever when it's apart from the soil that grew it, but if it's longevity you're after, Flowerbx could be your delivery service of choice. Picked, delivered and presented to last, these are bouquets that should live longer than other options — and far outlast the petrol station flowers you've had to resort to in the past. Sourced directly from growers and picked for each order, Flowerbx is the freshest option that isn't scattering plant food and picking the flowers yourself. From £40. At flowerbx.com
3/15Bloom
- Our pick: Lavender Clouds Bouquet, £122.50
- Delivery options: Not stated
- Letterbox options? No
- Why we love it: Fresh flowers, seasonal designs
With a focus on design, the florists at Bloom are truly using their green fingers to blow your loved one out of the water. With only the most beautiful blooms chosen and wrapped in traditional brown paper, this is some of the most exquisite modern floristry you can find online — without any single-use plastic. Unique to Bloom, too, you can take advantage of a “Create Your Own Bouquet” service, which lets those of you who have some floral know-how pick and mix the flora your loved one receives. A truly personalised gift. From £30. bybloom.co.uk
4/15Selfridges
- Our pick: Your London Florist Violetta Flowers, £65
- Delivery options: Standard, nominated day and timed delivery
- Letterbox options? No
- Why we love it: Choose from a selection of luxury and ethical florists and brands
Selfridges has got gifting down to a tee, so it's no surprise that flowers are also one of the department store's fortes. And you needn't just shop Selfridges own selection either, with bouquets from Moyses Stevens, Aoyama Flower Market and Your London Florist also livening up the sheer range of flowers and designs on offer. If you want choice of flower delivery company and a guarantee that no matter what you pick it'll go down well, Selfridges has got you. From £35. At selfridges.com
5/15Best for Red Roses: Appleyard Flowers
- Our pick: Casablanca Lily Bouquet, from £29.99
- Delivery options: Standard tracked, priority tracked, premium tracked, guaranteed tracked
- Letterbox options? Yes
- Why we love it: Plenty of affordable options, good gifting sets
Delivered nationwide, but with the option for same-day delivery for anyone living in London, Appleyard is a great option for beautiful bouquets at the last minute. A boutique florist, the arrangements are all carefully and luxuriously crafted, drawing on the expertise of the Appleyard specialists for unique flower gifts. And if you're struggling to choose, the flowers are helpfully sorted by occasion, meaning you should be able to find something easily that fits the mood you're going for. From £24.99. At appleyardflowers.com
6/15Best Affordable Flower Delivery Service: Marks & Spencer
- Our pick: Bright & Beautiful Tulip Bouquet, £25
- Delivery options: Standard delivery or nominated day delivery (including Sunday delivery) available
- Letterbox options? No
- Why we love it: Affordable, good quality, reliable delivery
Having long been the safest high street port of call for quality flowers on a short timeline, you'll be pleased to hear that M&S is just as reliable in its online floral service. With the power to draw from hundreds of flower farms around the UK, M&S offers a truly dizzying array of choices, though plenty of signposting means you shouldn't get too lost. Plants and flowers are available for next or nominated day delivery, and you can even add chocolates, alcohol or a candle to your order for a special gift more akin to a hamper. From £25. At marksandspencer.com
7/15Best Luxury Flower Delivery Service: Moyses Stevens
- Our pick: Tulip Fancy, £90
- Delivery options: Standard delivery or nominated day delivery available
- Letterbox options? No
- Why we love it: Impeccably luxurious, high quality, carefully designed
An ancient gift-giving practice in itself, you can still have your flowers delivered by one of the oldest and most storied florists in the game. At 140 years old, Moyses Stevens is as prestigious a pick now as it was at the turn of the century. Available at Selfridges, it's a convenient choice as well as a classy one: perfect for an anniversary. From £50. At selfridges.com
8/15Best Flower Subscription Service: Arena Flowers
- Our pick: Positive Luxury, £65
- Delivery options: DPD, free next-day delivery
- Letterbox options? Yes
- Why we love it: Free next-day delivery, a wide range of colours and design styles
With flowers and the bouquets they're part of coming under clear signposts such as “friendship” and “kindness”, you can't go far wrong with a posey from Arena Flowers. Like many delivery services, you can also buy plants at this destination, with more permanent flower arrangements available there too. Letterbox-friendly and generous with colour, this is a fantastic go-to for those of you seeking just-because blooms — or an ongoing subscription gift for someone in your life who deserves it. From £35. arenaflowers.com
9/15Freddie's Flowers
- Our pick: Girl Power, £55
- Delivery options: Weekly deliveries
- Letterbox options? No
- Why we love it: Regular delivery services mean there are always fresh flowers around
Freddie’s Flowers is a flower delivery service that allows you to sign your loved one up for a weekly delivery, keeping the celebrations going well beyond their special day. Each week, they’ll receive a box full of specially selected seasonal flowers, along with all of the information they need to arrange them in style. Each flower box is cut to order, meaning they arrive far fresher than most and will last longer. From £12.50. freddiesflowers.com
10/15Waitrose
- Our pick: The Hydrangeas, Chrysanthemums & More Bouquet, £45
- Delivery options: Next-day delivery
- Letterbox options? Yes
- Why we love it: Affordable, good quality flowers, simple designs
This year, Waitrose & Partners has a wide range of flowers and bouquets available for online delivery, all hand-tied and carefully packaged to ensure they arrive in good condition. To make your delivery extra special, you can also add an extra gift to your order with a personalised message to your loved one. Shop the collection at waitroseflorist.com
11/15Floom
- Our pick: Tropics Bouquet, from £64
- Delivery options: Variable, depending on which florist you shop through
- Letterbox options? Yes
- Why we love it: Supports independent and local florists
Supporting independent businesses has never been more important, so Floom makes it easy to take a more personal and curated approach to flower delivery. Simply put in the postcode of where you need to send the bouquet of flowers and choose from a selection of arrangements and blooms all designed by independent florists. And if you fancy making your gift even bigger, you can also find plants and plenty of hampers to send along with your bouquet. From £24. floom.com
12/15Bloombox
- Our pick: Mini Parlour Palm, £12.95
- Delivery options: Free shipping on orders over £85
- Letterbox options? No
- Why we love it: Longer-lasting gifting than flowers
If the thought of her flowers wilting and languishing in the rubbish before the fortnight is up is likely to make your giftee blue, Bloombox could be your ideal solution. Purveyor of living flowers, this service does flowers and plants that last. Coming in vases and pots as simple or extravagant as you choose, you'll get soil and in-depth care advice with each Bloombox purchase, making it a wonderful longer-term flora present. From £13. bloomboxclub.com
13/15Interflora
- Our pick: Pretty Pink Rose and Lily Bouquet, £60
- Delivery options: Next and same-day delivery is available
- Letterbox options? No
- Why we love it: Created by local florists, good delivery options
Interflora is one of the major players in online flower delivery, drawing on artisanal local florists who hand-deliver in eco-conscious gift packaging. One of the oldest and best-respected florists out there, you can find a traditional slate of pastel and bright flowers for all occasions this year, plus there's abundant signposting to help you find a bouquet for moments that require a more sombre tone. £60. interflora.co.uk
14/15Serenata Flowers
- Our pick: Cream Tea, £36.99
- Delivery options: Free next-day delivery
- Letterbox options? Yes
- Why we love it: Extensive range of styles, affordable, free next-day delivery included
For bouquets and arrangements that celebrate a special occasion, Serenata has got you covered. Its bouquets have elegance and refinement that work well for anyone who might prefer a more curated look (rather than a freshly picked style) but still at an affordable price. From £29.99. serenataflowers.com
15/15The Real Flower Company
- Our pick: Romantic Juliet Posy, £57
- Delivery options: Standard or nominated day delivery
- Letterbox options? No
- Why we love it: Carefully curated and elegant, classic styles
With a focus on scent as well as look, The Real Flower Company's sustainable approach to bouquets is an eminently classy route to tread. Highlights for spring include an abundance of peonies and traditional bouquets that are a testament to the florists' ongoing dedication to the art of the rose. With every flower sourced from British and Fairtrade sources, this is one of the most environment conscious options you can select. From £70. At selfridges.com
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