I recently sent flowers to my Aunt in Kent, I googled florists for the area that she lives, found one I liked the look of, chose some flowers and then rang them, paid over the phone and they were delivered the next morning.
We sent my MIL flowers by M&S, she was delighted with them - but otherwise, the suggestion of booking from a florist local to the recipient is good. It means the flowers don't have many delivery miles.
Same as Tilly! We always use Bunches for sending flowers. This year we sent a plant to my Mother in law using them and from the photos she sent us, we were very impressed :)
You get free chocs with every order too!
I've used Serenata flowers for mothers days, (both mine and man hostages), work colleagues birthdays and get wells, and they've always been very good and the flowers have always been well received and in good nick.
Have you tried Interflora ? Just visit your local florist, and they will arrange everything, and you will be helping a local business, instead of giving your money to any of the big high street retailers, who are making enough profit as it is !