Science-driven
Botanical evidence before assumptions.
Plant-selection and ecological consulting
Make better planting decisions before costly problems take root.
Phytonomen applies botanical knowledge, ecological reasoning, and practical research to plant-selection decisions—so recommendations fit the site, the goals, and the years ahead.
Site-customized
Conditions shape every recommendation.
Independent advice
Plant recommendations are not tied to large-corporate product sales.
Long-term value
Choices made for performance over time.
Evidence-informed decisions
Why plant selection matters
Plant selection determines more than appearance. It affects maintenance costs, infrastructure conflicts, plant survival, and the ecological performance of a landscape.
Annual maintenance costs for native landscaping than turf in one published ten-year comparison.
Difference in pollinator attractiveness among ornamental plant species in a three-year study.
Of average municipal tree-program spending went to pruning and removal in a national census.
Phytonomen evaluates mature size, rooting behavior, soil and moisture conditions, climate, maintenance requirements, invasiveness, and ecological function before recommending a plant.
Published benchmarks illustrate why plant selection matters. Actual costs and outcomes depend on the site, design, establishment, and long-term management.
See how Phytonomen approaches plant selectionSources and calculation notes
- Changing Cost Perceptions: An Analysis of Conservation Development
The approximately 70% figure is calculated from the source’s published ten-year average annual maintenance estimates for native landscaping and turf.
- Nabors et al. 2022, Environmental Entomology
The study reported differences in pollinator attractiveness among ornamental plant species by as much as a factor of twelve.
- Municipal Tree Care and Management in the United States: 2014 Urban & Community Forestry Census
The census reported that pruning represented 23.3% and removal represented 24.5% of average municipal tree-program spending, totaling 47.8%.
Launch services
Choose the scale of the decision.
Fixed-price services are available across the contiguous United States and Alaska. Online project submission is available. Submitting a project does not create a client relationship or require payment. Phytonomen reviews each request before confirming the scope, terms, timing, fee, and any invoice.
Focused Plant ConsultationExpert guidance for one clearly defined plant-selection question.$39
Single-Area Plant PaletteA coherent plant palette for one defined planting area.$89
Home Landscape Plant PaletteA coordinated plant-selection strategy for several related residential areas or goals.$179
Native Plant PaletteA site-responsive palette with documented native-status screening.$249
Enhanced Plant Selection ConsultationA deeper consultation with direct discussion and one revision.$349
Professional, Institutional, or Municipal ConsultingCustom plant-selection support for organizations and professionals.Projects begin at $750
Not sure which service fits? “Help me choose / Request a scope review” is available as a routing option for projects with an uncertain fit. It is not a separate paid product.
Review scope routingBegin with context
Bring the site, the goals, and the difficult plant questions.
Review what to prepare for a project submission, or visit the contact page for current inquiry options. No payment is taken with an initial consultation request.
Tree TSAR™ is Phytonomen’s taxonomy, systematics, and review initiative.
Its pages connect scientific names, common names, phylogenetic relationships, nomenclatural history, morphology, ecology, horticulture, conservation, and supporting literature.
Explore Tree TSAR™Plants of the Day
| Scientific Name | Authorship | Common Name |
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No published plant pages are currently available.
Professional perspective
Botanical depth. Ecological context. Independent judgment.
Phytonomen is led by Dr. Philip Crim, a plant ecologist specializing in biodiversity—ecosystem function relationships. Our approach brings plant science, ecology, horticultural performance, taxonomy, and evidence-based decision-making into practical consultation for our clients.
About the practice