When you're in the business of selling plants, you're going to do everything you can to sell more plants. To this end, the landscape industry is continuously developing new plants to appeal to consumers. Plants with more spectacular blooms. Dwarf plants for those with limited space. Slow growing plants that require less pruning. Being new and improved, such plants command a higher price. If you have plenty of money to spend, investing in new varieties can be fun and satisfying. There are often drawbacks, however, such as when plants bred for flashy looks or dwarfism are no longer as hardy.
I went through a phase during which I was romanced by the gorgeous array of cultivars available. The romance went sour went I got tired of spending money on plants that failed to thrive without lots of pampering. I've since devoted my energies finding tough, cheap, useful plants that require minimal work. My gardens are still beautiful, and I have more time for the important things, like fighting ground ivy.
One of the best sources for plants is other gardeners, especially ones who have been at it for years, who have learned what plants grow best under local conditions. Joining a garden club can potentially get you access to lots of great plants and information. Often such clubs have plants sales, swaps, or giveaways where plants can be had for free or cheap. If a plant has been donated to such an event, it means it performs well enough to propagate itself. It readily seeds itself or needs to be divided, which is why a gardener has extras. Do some research to avoid invasive plants which end up for sale too.
There's nothing wrong with buying plants from nurseries or garden centers and I often do so myself. I avoid the newest, showiest cultivars, but I've acquired many wonderful plants this way. End of season sales often provide great finds. If you find yourself needing to buy plants at full price, go for selections that will be ready to divide in a year or two. Some plants you can divide right out of the pot so you're actually getting two or three for the price of one.
For the biggest bang for the buck, grow herbs. Many are simultaneously ornamental, culinary, and medicinal, which means functions are stacked within the same plant. They are usually sold as small starter plants for under five dollars, put on rapid growth, and don't require super-rich soil. Many, such as certain mints, spread aggressively. This trait makes them great for problem areas where less tough plants languish.
For those with space and patience, growing from seeds is a very economical way to produce lots of plants. The initial cost of seeds is a tiny fraction of what you would pay for plants. Vegetative propagation, taking cuttings and coaxing them to root, is also a very useful skill to explore.
If you can let go of the need for an instant garden, whole worlds of possibilities open up for acquiring plants. Proceeding slowly is the best way anyhow: you won't get overwhelmed and will have time to observe what works and what doesn't. Cultivating an unhurried garden also means more time for soil building, which ensures greater success in the long run.
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