In this age of relentless urbanization and technological advancements, the following statement often rings true: one small step for man – one giant leap backward for the environment. Today, forests are quickly being replaced by shopping malls, and ecosystems are being replaced by social networks. So it might seem a bit ironic that our mobile phones (of all things) could possibly become the beacon that attracts us back to the loving arms of Mother Nature. Yet, that is exactly what the myRose mobile app team is working towards.

myRose has just released the first of what is likely to be a series of mobile gardening apps that are specifically geared towards plant and nature lovers. It is available for both iOS and Android devices. With the myRose gardening app, you can grow your own Christmas Rose (the particular species featured in the app is the Helleborus orientalis) right on your mobile phone by regularly adding water. The premium version of the app comes equipped with the added benefits of classic and organic fertilizer. Interestingly, there is no exact indication of how much water or fertilizer is required for each day, and much like real-life plant care, the user is left to do the necessary research or trust his/her own judgment.

The most distinctive features of the app are probably its incredible attention to detail and its 15-day growing + flowering period (7 days for the premium version). To be honest, gardening apps are nothing new to the mobile world. However we would be hard pressed to find ANY other flower app which provides as much realism as myRose currently does. The graphics are simply stunning. The plant’s growth pattern actually changes depending on how much water and fertilizer is given EACH DAY. In other words, there are no miracle growth spurts overnight. Users must continue to care for their plants during the entire 15-day cycle in order to maximize their chances of getting as many blooms as possible. Failure to provide adequate care for your plant can and will result in disastrous consequences. If it sounds like a bit of a challenge, that’s because it is.

It is quite commendable that the myRose team has decided not to travel the road so often taken by many of today’s mobile applications. The app is not fast, flashy, nor frantic. The developers have remained true to the ideals of simplicity, hard work, and patience that characterize all successful gardeners. In fact, the myRose app is so realistic that it is likely to provide an outlet for those avid gardeners who might have been caught up in the aforementioned wave of urbanization and/or recent economic crises. For most persons, gardening is a hobby. It doesn’t pay the bills. Most people simply cannot afford to spend as much time in their gardens as they would like to; but this doesn’t mean that they have to give up on their love for watching things grow. With the myRose app, plant lovers can grow beautiful flowers while in the office, on the road, on the subway, or even in bed. Best of all, you can even send your homegrown flowers to someone you love at the end of the flowering period.

myRose is a pleasant reminder of what we can accomplish if we decide to slow down and get our hands dirty. It reminds us that there is so much more to life than the pursuit of money and materialistic wants. I dare say it is even a little bit inspirational — after using the application for just a few days, I’ve decided to do a bit of gardening myself this weekend. I’m not sure if my flowers will be as lovely as those on the app, but I’m certainly willing to give it a shot. Will you?

Try it now: http://www.myroseapp.com/