On a budget: the best Valentine's Day bouquets for under £50
If you're on a budget, but you also have an amour (or two) in need of a jaw-droppingly fabulous bouquet, you may be in need of some bargainous last-minute flowers.
Luckily for you, there are some excellent options available that don't skimp on taste and romance. She (or he) will be none the wiser. And they do say it's the thought that counts, anyway.
Here's our pick of the best bargains to be found for Valentine's Day 2018.
The Real Flower Company
Filled with scented, Fairtrade garden roses and herbs, this elegant gift includes hand-tied Princess Charlene, Vitality, Pavlova, Romantic Antike and Juliet roses by famous rose breeder David Austin, mingled with mint and lavender for a fantastic fragrance. Selfridges offer nominated day UK delivery for £8.
Botanique Workshop
This bouquet makes a statement with strong, vibrant purples (Pantone's colour of the year, no less), pinks, red and mauves. It features clematis, roses, wax flowers, anemone and seasonal greenery. We adore it - how could any sweetheart resist?
Available for both nationwide (next day) and London (same day) delivery. Botanique also offers international flower delivery - overseas orders may take slightly longer to arrive so please allow 10-15 days. Any duties and taxes charged at customs are the responsibility of the buyer.
Marks and Spencer
Bored of roses? Allow us to suggest this bunch of 32 deep red, seasonal tulips. You might as well throw in the vase (£10) and a bottle of Prosecco too, for good measure (delivery is free). According to ProFlowers, red tulips are most strongly associated with true love, while purple symbolizes royalty. The meaning of yellow tulips has evolved - once said to represent hopeless love, they now express cheerful thoughts and sunshine.
Order online now for delivery between 10 February 2018 and 16 February 2018 and get free nominated day delivery.
Flower BX for Selfridges
These snow white roses are exclusive to Selfridges, and are sourced directly from Holland. White roses represent purity, and they're a fitting flower for celebrating a new romantic or marital bond. Available for UK nominated day delivery (£8).
Lidl
Oh, how we love Lidl. The UK's seventh biggest supermarket will this year be selling 100 roses for under £30, available on 13th February. Don't let them be the bouquet that got away. In stores only.
Bloom & Wild
Bloom & Wild deliver in letter box-friendly packaging, but the flowers are no less spectacular for it. The Wild Child bouquet offers a contemporary twist on the traditional Valentine's Day bouquet of a dozen red roses - featuring Madam Red roses mingled with astrantia, ferns and on-trend eucalyptus. Order online and select free nominated day delivery, or go really wild and treat her to a Bloom & Wild subscription, either weekly, fortnightly or monthly for 3 months, 6 months, 12 months or on an ongoing basis.
Bloom & Wild also offer some international flower delivery (free delivery to the Republic of Ireland, France and Germany).
Tesco Finest
Rose and lily, £20
This timeless bouquet features a selection of oriental lilies teamed with contemporary white avalanche roses, red Naomi roses and scented eucalyptus foliage. It's the perfect addition to any romantic dining room table (so long as neither of you are allergic to lilies, of course).
Petalon
Petalon deliver by bicycle to London addresses - and what could be more romantic than that? Their Lady in Red bouquet for Valentine's Day (pictured) comes in biodegradable packaging - apart from the plastic sheath, which is recyclable. They also have a postal service for addresses outside London.
Flowers will be delivered between 8am and 5pm on Wednesday 14 February, though Petalon doesn't offer time slots. All bouquet prices include free delivery and a £1 donation to Bee Collective. How very thoughtful.
Flower Station
Bored of red and Barbie pink? In this bunch, white roses combine with tall astilbe and foliage to create a harmony of colour and textures that would be enough to melt even the most cold-hearted. You're most welcome.
Love Springs operates a seven day delivery service in London, with same day orders taken until 6pm. You may also book the 24 hour service by choosing the appropriate delivery option. For rest of the UK, it offers a Tuesday to Saturday delivery service.
Lakeland
Sometimes, only the spring-like joy of bright pink will do. In which case, opt for this delightfully feminine bunch complete with eucalyptus sprigs and roses both great and small. Lakeland offer free express delivery on Valentine's Day bouquets, too, and next day delivery in the UK.
Appleyard London
Don't hold back - say it like you mean it with a grand bunch of 50 glorious red roses. Group them together to make a statement, or scatter them throughout the house like the hopeless romantic you are (vase not included).
Select premium delivery with DPD (£6.99 - £9.99).
Bramble & Willow
Bramble & Willow in Wandsworth specialise in glorious bespoke blooms - but their signature bouquets such as The Charmant, combining Charmant roses, phlox and lisianthus styled with eucalyptus and green bell, are quite fabulous too.
Nationwide next day delivery is available, as well as same-day delivery in south west London and local pick-up.
How to care for your Valentine's Day bouquet
According to Flower BX, you should recut stems diagonally and remove all excess foliage before placing blooms in cool water. All foliage should be above the waterline. Your flowers will respond best to temperatures between 10 and 15 degrees.
Keep roses away from ripening fruit as the ethylene gas given off shortens the life of the flower; all flowers benefit from flower food and respond well to changing water regularly.
As flowers are a natural product, there will be a slight size and colour variation throughout the season.
