Flowers have long been used to communicate messages of varying types, from offering symbols of romantic devotion and desire, to condolences and wishes for speedy recovery.
According to Bloom & Wild, Floriography was often used by Victorians to convey highly specific messages through the symbolic associations of flowers – so much so, that entire dictionaries were created to help gift-givers and recipients translate their bustling bouquets of perennial blooms.
One of the most widely known Floriographic definitions today is that red roses are associated with romantic love. Other examples include the fact that bluebells represent kindness, peonies symbolise bashfulness and tulips evoke passion.
Yet no matter the occasion, horticulture has always represented renewal and rebirth, for the arrival of springtime blooms is a reminder that no matter how harsh of a winter we endure, Mother Nature always returns to bear us beautiful fruits.
Despite garnering decidedly feminine connotations over the centuries, flowers are a delightful gift that everyone deserves to receive on special occasions, or even just as a mood-boosting reminder of friendship. However, perfectly cultivated blooms are only increasing in price as the demand for flowers of varying species and types continues to surge.
In London, one of the most beloved, high-quality flower markets sits on Columbia Road, which is rather fittingly filled with Victorian shops. Yet to source the best possible blooms, it’s generally accepted that floral enthusiasts simply must arrive before the market has even opened on a Sunday, and must be prepared to spend as much as £15 on freshly cut, single stems.
What if we told you that high-quality, value-for-money flowers were just a click away? There are plenty of online services which offer budget blooms with beautifully sweet perfumes and deliver straight to your door for far less than an in-person market.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best budget flower shops to browse for all your gift-giving, dopamine-boosting needs.
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Bloom & Wild
Prices from: £19
One of the pioneers of letterbox flowers, Bloom & Wild has a selection of bouquets that promise to make a lovely Valentine’s Day gift. As well as letterbox arrangements, you can also choose more premium designs in the Limited Edition and Occasions collections.
There’s even a section for letterbox-friendly plants on their site, ideal for gifting something that will last a lot longer than a bunch of roses. Want to gift flowers on the regular? See their subscription options here.
Flowers last up to 10 days. Order flowers before 10pm for free next-day delivery in the UK.
Buy now, Bloom & Wild
Arena Flowers Letterbox Roses
Prices from: £22
These flowers will deliver a burst of brightness through your lucky recipient's letterbox. Consisting of a mix of white and yellow roses with greenbell for greenery, this bunch will brighten up their day and should last around a week.
Made with Fairtrade roses, the stems are first treated in a hydration facility before being packed so they can travel without water and still arrive looking pristine.
Buy now £30.00, Arena Flowers
Bunches Letterbox Flowers
Prices from: £21.45
With single-use plastic consumption public enemy number one, the folks at Bunches are reinforcing with zest with their plastic-free letterbox flowers.
Their floral deliveries come in recyclable paper wrapping and include a personal message card, as well as a pack of compostable flower food and care instructions to ensure your bunch looks and smells fresh for seven days, guaranteed.
We like the simple pleasures of Charlotte, (£24.50): a mix of pink Spray Carnations and Alstroemeria with white Gypsophila, it’s sure to put a spring in the step of whoever you send it to.
This vendor accepts PayPal as a payment method.
Buy now, Bunches
The Letterbox Mixed Alstroemeria
Prices from: £20
As well as cards and gifts, Moonpig is a great online destination to pick up some letterbox flowers and plants. Make an impression with a beautifully balanced mix of pink, red and white roses and chrysanthemums, this arrangement will delight your recipient.
Don’t worry if the flowers aren’t fully bloomed on arrival; they should open up over the following couple of days to ensure they last longer.
Freshness is guaranteed for five days, order by 9pm for next-day delivery between 8am - 9pm.
Buy now, Moonpig
Waitrose Flowers by Post
Prices from: £20
The letterbox flower selection at Waitrose may be small, but oh, is it sweet. With pink foundation roses and complementary foliage, these roses in shades of pink and orange are delivered in bud ready to open out into a stunning display. It’s a pretty look that will look lovely no matter your recipient’s flower-arranging skills.
You can expect up to five days of freshness from this vibrant arrangement, £25, and delivery is included in the price for this bunch. The only question is, who is the lucky recipient?
Buy now, Waitrose
Smith & Munson
Prices from: £25
Family-run growers Smith & Munson specialise in bringing premium flowers to customers across London and the South East. The stems are nurtured in giant greenhouses, allowing them to be plucked whatever the British weather throws at them. The selection is small but considered with tulips undeniably the star of the show.
Best of the bunch: Feel like roses are a bit ‘done’? Break tradition this year with a delivery of elegant British tulips instead, £25. Smith & Munson’s come directly from the growers and are wrapped in 100 per cent recyclable wrapping. You needn’t stick to red either - pick from pink, purple, white and yellow as well as crimson.
Buy now £0.00, Smith & Munson
Flowercard
Prices from: £29.99
If you haven’t seen your family for months, why not perk Madre up with a petal delivery? The Thinking of You collection is sure to leave them beaming with joy.
There are versions for all kinds in packaging that include darling little baskets to double opening cards and designs nestled in tea cups. Prepare to pay an average of £29.99 per option.
Best of the bunch: This Thinking Of You arrangement, £25, is bursting out of its card, making it feel extravagant and OTT. Just what Cupid ordered.
Buy now £0.00, Flowercard
Prestige Flowers
Prices from: £22.99
Letterbox and extra-large bouquets are the name of the game over at Prestige Flowers, with next-day delivery blooms offered at an impressive £22.99 during the springtime. Whether you’re in the market for fabulous, rainbow-coloured flowers or traditional bouquets fit for special occasions, you’ll find everything you need and more at this horticultural paradise.
Buy now, Prestige Flowers
Flying Flowers
Prices from: £35
Having been in the horticultural game for over four decades, with over 12 million bunches delivered to doorsteps across the UK, you can be sure that proud British growers Flying Flowers are a great option for high-quality budget blooms. With celebratory bouquets available for every occasion, a partnership with Marie Curie and a commitment to saving the bees, these will make a feel-good purchase.
Buy now £35.00, Flying Flowers
Freddie’s Flowers
Prices: £25 a box
Frequency: weekly
We’ve no doubt you’ve seen one of Freddie’s many couriers on London’s streets, whizzing past laden with a bundle of branded cardboard boxes secured to the front. Add your address to the drop-off route by signing up for the weekly subscription, which can be paused or cancelled at any time. As the flowers can last up to two weeks, you can even change addresses to get flowers delivered to friends for their birthdays and other special occasions.
Joining Freddie’s feels like signing up to flower school, with artistically-selected stems arriving in bud and instructions to arrange your bunch to look florist-fresh and quiz notes to impress your mates with later. The company works closely with growers to curate cool new looks in every delivery; you’ll never take a bunch for granted.
New members can display bouquets in style with a free classic vase with the first delivery.
Buy now £25.00, Freddie’s Flowers
