Currently, 4,000 people around the world are using it. “Initially, the app was introduced to support florists and event planners, but the app turned out to be very interesting for flower breeders and growers too”, says Robin Hesselberth, who invented the Flowerbook app with Fabian van Dijk.

Hesselberth is a buyer at a floral wholesaler in the United Kingdom and came up with this idea after receiving many questions from florists and event planners about finding the right flowers for particular projects and designs. In the app, each flower listed is matched to a colour guide and all the information about the flowers including pictures, if it is grown all year round and where it’s grown can be found. It contains over 5,000 high quality images and one can search by variety, type or colour of flower. 

Having attracted a large number of users in just a couple of months, the app looks to be heading towards success. However, has not prevented Hesselberth from introducing new innovations and improvements. Features that should attract a wider audience are waiting to be introduced. These innovations are expected to be of interest to flower breeders and growers in particular.

For flower breeders, the app could be a valuable tool in the future. There are plans to create a ‘showroom’ in which flower breeders can present their new varieties. Other Flowerbook app users will then be able grade these varieties and give feedback. The info can then be forwarded back to the breeders. "It enables the breeder to form a clear picture about popular varieties, colours and shapes in different countries," Hesselberth suggested.

There are also possibilities for floral growers. For example, a link between the flower and the grower can be made by adding the growers' name underneath an image. "We would like to enhance the experience of the product and this can be done by adding more images and probably also videos", said Hesselberth.

Currently, the app is only available in English, but six languages will be added, shortly. It will then be available in English, Spanish, Polish, Russian, French, German and Czech.

For more information, visit Flowerbook: flowerbookapp.com

Source: Elita Vellekoop, www.hortidaily.com