Here at the Strategist, we know that finding the “best” product really depends on exactly whom you ask — which is why we’ve devoted a new series to squeezing in as many informed, trustworthy opinions as possible. And we’ve come up with dozens of ways to do this, among them: surfacing reader reviews from across the internet, taking quick polls (among our friends and fellow shopping-obsessed Strategist editors), and partaking in some advanced internet snooping.
Mother’s Day falls on March 27 this year. And while this year you may be able to formulate some in-person plans, a bunch of flowers that you can order online is still a thoughtful way to show her you care. Whether she’s a traditionalist or is looking for something more maximalist, we’ve looked at options including ecofriendly, next-day, inexpensive, and even faux bouquets.
Quick Pick: A traditional bouquet from a trusted source
Marks and Spencer’s multicoloured spring selection features yellow chrysanthemums, cerise germini, orange roses, and purple statices. Strategist UK audience manager Rosie Percy said she liked M&S’s free next-day delivery (as well as the option to add optional gifts, like Prosecco or Percy Pigs to an order). They offer a five-day freshness guarantee, and of all the retailers we researched, we liked that they also had one of the widest ranges of affordable options, with 18 bouquets under £25 (including tulips, alstroemerias, and roses). All bouquets come with free UK delivery.
People’s Choice: The fresh flowers with the best ratings on Amazon
Clare Florist has been delivering flowers since 1978 – and their bouquets are some of the highest rated on Amazon. This rose and freesia bunch has 2,261 reviews – 69 percent of which are five stars. They deliver anywhere on the UK mainland, and offer next-day delivery if ordered before 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Strategist staff pick: The nationwide flower service with free NDD
When we took a straw poll in the Strategist UK slack channel, Bloom and Wild came recommended by … well, all of us. Writer Chris Mandle said the letterbox flowers were his preferred option for sending flowers to his family in Cumbria, particularly to his grandma, who often has a bunch of M&S flowers in her sitting room already. “They always go down well because they feel a bit fancier than a bunch you might find in a supermarket,” he says. Editor Ailbhe Malone also uses it to send flowers to friends and family in Ireland. Bloom and Wild’s letterbox service comes with flower-arranging tips — but mum can go rogue and use her own flair for floristry if she likes. Bloom and Wild say they send their letterbox flowers via Royal Mail’s Tracked service for free, next-day flower delivery, which will come through the door with your other post as long as you place an order before 10 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Quick pick: A potted plant (with a little something extra)
If your mum prefers a potted plant to a bouquet, look to this especially good deal from Beards and Daisies. For £57, you get a handsome and hearty pink hydrangea (it measures 50cm tall and can be planted outside too), a ceramic pot, and a mini bottle of pink Lanson champagne. A final sweetener: You can pick up a free mini parlour palm with orders over £40, which this purchase qualifies for (we checked). Next-day delivery is available (including Saturdays), but it’s worth noting that Beards and Daisies doesn’t deliver to Northern Ireland or certain UK post codes.
Ask a Cool Person: Micaela Nisbett’s favourite ‘shimmer-sprayed’ Pop Art bouquets
While seeking some alternatives to more traditional arrangements, we got a tip-off from Micaela Nisbett (founder of Neighbourhood Botanicals) about My Lady Garden – a Dalston-based flower shop that has been featured in Vogue. “They are based out of the front window at The Factory, in Dalston – where Neighbourhood Botanicals originally had a shop and studio,” said Nisbett. “Their bouquets are not for flower purists … they’re more like flower Pop Art. They’re super-fun, I like the shimmer-sprayed lilies and coloured ‘fluffy-cloud’ grass. I like anything unusual, bright, fun, and wonky.” Founded by Kaiva Kaimins, My Lady Garden features everything from bud vase arrangements to a £95 “flower explosion”, featuring phalaenopsis orchids, gypsophilia, and garden roses. They also do limited merch drops, too.
Quick Pick: An ecofriendly bouquet
Petalon is a carbon-neutral company that uses flowers grown on its Cornish farm where possible.
In an effort to cut out unnecessary plastic, all flowers are delivered in hessian, which is recyclable and biodegradable. Petalon also encourages fresh, seasonal orders by offering two different bouquets a week. Each Sunday, a pair of new bunches are launched which can then be ordered for the next seven days. An added bonus, since we last featured this bouquet, they’ve expanded their delivery zone to include next-day delivery across the UK. [Editor’s note: Due to the regular change in flowers, this bouquet might not be available].
Snooping: The dried-flower bouquet that’s all over Instagram
While we love the brightness that a fresh bunch of flowers can bring to your home, there are plenty of stylish dried-flower options, too. From pampas grass, bunny tails, and even eucalyptus, these are extremely low maintenance, ecofriendly, and long-lasting (many dried bunches can last up to a year). But one florist in particular keeps popping up on our Instagram: Appreciation Project. Founded by Natasha Lyon (a former handbag designer who has held roles at Burberry, Acne Studios, and Victoria Beckham) and her husband John (whose background is in tech and health care), Appreciation Project’s bouquets are suitably maximalist. We’ve seen them in the homes of several notable influencers – such as stylist and YouTuber Emma Rose Thatcher, Hannah T Interiors, and even at The Rose in June in Margate. Appreciation Project also curates and sells a range of vases by Raawii, including a geometric Relae in rubine red. They deliver to the UK mainland, and say deliveries are typically made in 4-5 days from the order date. It’s worth noting that they don’t deliver to Northern Ireland.
Quick Pick: For the mum who lives far away
Interflora delivers to over 130 countries outside the UK, making it really easy to send to a mum who is far away. They are part of the largest international flower-delivery network in the world, and focus on working with local suppliers to use local or regional flowers. The breadth of their delivery options varies from country to country.
Celebrity Shopping: Designer Kelly Hoppen’s favourite same-day delivery florist
When we asked Kelly Hoppen to tell us about the things she can’t live without, the interior designer told us that she likes ordering fresh flowers (typically white dahlias) every week from Flowerbx, an online florist. “During lockdown, to be able to order fresh flowers every week really puts a smile on my face. Their same-day delivery is also a complete lifesaver if you need to dress up a space for a last-minute guest, or you want to send someone flowers to brighten their day. I just think it’s a really lovely thing to have around.”
Flowerbx say their flowers last several days longer than those bought from markets, as they source their stock directly from the growers and deliver them right to the customer. Their same-day service is only available in certain London postcodes (order before 1 p.m., Monday to Saturday) and they offer a range of products, including flower subscriptions and flowers that come in a vase – although Hoppen says, “I already have a lot of vases at home.” Kelly’s favourite dahlias are out of season, but you can find lots of striking white flowers (such as these hyacinths) in season right now.
People’s Choice: The faux flowers with the best ratings on Amazon
Perfect for someone with allergies, these silk flowers (which come in six different colours, including these pink champagne ones) look just as eye-catching as the real thing.
Quick pick: An ornamental flower (that will never wilt or die)
Going one further from silk flowers, these plywood flower stems are a nice decorative touch, and are baby-friendly – a safer alternative for a new mum.
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