This Is How Much Garden Plants Will Cost You (with Examples)

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Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies worldwide, and for good reason. It gets people outside to spend time with nature in the fresh air and is mentally relaxing. There are many different ways to start a garden, from designing an entire yard section to planting a few of your favorite plants.

No matter what size and style of garden you choose, you will likely want to know, “How much do garden plants cost?”

The cost of garden plants can vary widely, depending on the size and style of your garden. One major factor is the types of plants you choose and how many you want. Rare exotic plants will be more expensive than plants that grow locally. You will also pay more for difficult-to-grow plants that have been started or established.

It is important to plan your garden before you buy your plants, and an important part of the process is learning how much the garden plants cost.

Are Plants Expensive?

Plants can be very expensive, but they range widely in price. There are different factors that go into the price; for example, if a farmer can easily plant a seed and have it grow with relatively little care, the plant will be less expensive than one that is slow-growing and high maintenance.

Some plants have a higher tolerance for different environmental conditions, while others don’t. Plants that can handle different amounts of sun exposure are going to cost less than those that have very specific requirements.

Another factor in the price is the growth rate of the plant. This is how long it takes to go from a seed to being ready for sale. If it takes longer to grow, it will cost more.

Some plants grow from propagation rather than seeds. Bamboo is an example of this, and once it is divided, it may take another three to five years to be ready to sell. This is why you will find that bamboo is more expensive than other plants.

Smaller and younger plants are going to be less expensive than older, larger plants. This is a result of how much effort goes into growing the plant. You might find a large plant that is less expensive, but this plant would have a fast growth rate.

The bottom line is that some plants are expensive, while others are affordable. The price is based on how much time and effort the farmer has to make to grow it, how rare it is, and its size.

How to Get Inexpensive or Free Plants for Your Garden

Having a garden can be expensive, and a lot of people can’t afford to buy new plants every season. The key is to create a beautiful and functional garden that you can take care of without spending a fortune. You can start with these methods that give you garden plants for relatively little cost.

Start by propagating cuttings. You can layer, root, divide, or transplant these plants into the soil. This is a popular method with succulent plants, especially in areas that don’t get a lot of water. Some succulents that are easy to grow to include the following:

Aloe (Aloe spp)
Jade (Crassula ovata)

Zebra cactus (Haworthia spp.)
Donkey’s tail (Sedum morganianum)

If you find and ask for cuttings of any of these plants, you will be able to plant them in your garden.

Another option is to rescue plants. There are groups that are devoted to rescuing plants, much the way groups rescue dogs, cats, and other living things. Some groups want to preserve plants that are native to their region, while others will rescue any plant. If you want to rescue plants, try any of the following:

Ask landscapers for any plants they are throwing out
Look at trash bins of home and garden centers

Ask neighbors when they are replanting their garden

You can also find affordable plants at flea markets and yard sales. Sometimes, you can go on a garden tour and pick up some cuttings to take home. You can join a garden club or look into environmental organizations that hold plant sales.

If you go online, there are plant exchange groups on social media, and some people are giving away their plants. Look at Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, and other garden or plant exchange groups to find plants for a low cost.

One of the best inexpensive ways to grow plants is to buy packets of seeds. You can choose vegetables, flowers, and more.

Affordable Plants for Your Garden

If you are working with a smaller budget to start your garden, the following plants are more affordable. You can choose biennials that will give you flowers in the spring and in the summer. However, you can save money by starting them in trays from seeds in May and June.

Annuals are an option if you want affordable plants to fill in your garden. You can also add climbers that bloom in the summer and fall. When you choose perennials, you should get those that can easily be grown from seeds to save some money.

There are also some vegetables and herbs that are more cost-effective than others. Take a look at the following list of affordable plants.

Flowering Plants

Hollyhocks

The best way to start Hollyhocks is from seed. It is a perennial, and you can expect flowers the second year after you plant it. They look great in gardens, but they need a sheltered spot.

Sweet William

This plant has beautiful flowers in pink, red, and white. They look great in pots and as border plants. They like to grow in full sun, and they are a great option.

Foxgloves

Foxgloves are beautiful biennial plants with spires of flowers in bright colors that look like bells or thimbles. They have speckled throats, and they will attract bees to your garden. They work well in any garden and won’t cost a fortune.

Forget-Me-Nots

Another lovely plant, Forget-Me-Nots, bloom little blue flowers, as well as pink and white. One great thing about them is that they sprinkle seeds around when they are flowering, so you will grow more easily.

Autumn Crocus

You can add this flower for something that blooms later in the fall, in October and November. This crocus is a source of saffron, and it is easy to plant and grow. It is purple with three long, red stigmas.

Cornflowers

Cornflowers are a favorite because they look great and are easy to grow. You can get them in pink, white, or blue. While they are growing, you can gather the seeds and store them for the next year.

Lavatera

Some people want a plant that adds color to the garden quickly, and a lavatera is a great option. It has pink trumpet blooms, and you can plant it in full sun. It handles dry soil well.

Calendula

This budget plant, also known as marigold, looks great and is hardy. Once you plant it, it will come back year after year. It also works well in vegetable gardens because it naturally repels tomato and bean pests. You can also eat the petals.

Check out: Ericaceous Compost for Marigolds

Roses

There are many different varieties of roses. If you want something more affordable, look for Climbing Iceberg, and try to find bare root roses rather than potted plants. You can get them in a variety of colors.

Passiflora Caerulea

Also known as Passionflowers, this plant is tough enough to last in your garden. They are tendril climbers, so you need to support them with a wall or a fence, but you can propagate the plant from cuttings.

Erigeron Karvinskianus

The Mexican fleabane gives you flowers from the spring to the winter. It produces beautiful masses of white and pink daisies that are little and look great in pots.

Rudbeckia

This is a bold flower that is easy to grow without much effort. It gives you flowers from August to October, and some varieties have large flowers that add personality to your garden.

Grassy Plants

Festuca Glauca

This is a great plant to pot in the winter. You can also grow it from seed, and the leaf color of the grass can be intense, even with sun and dry conditions. It is Evergreen and looks great in the garden.

Herbs

Fennel

Fennel grows little flowers, and the leaves have a flavor of aniseed. The seeds are aromatic when they are green, and it self-seeds for you.

Thyme

There are a lot of different types of thyme available, and they are all slightly different. Some grow in small, attractive mounds, while others work well to fill gaps in your paving around the garden. You can choose the creeping T. serpyllum for this.

Oregano

Another great herb, Oregano, can grow in a small pot, and it will spread easily. It turns into a nice clump, and you can cut it back after it flowers. Then, propagate either with cuttings or division so that you have more.

Hedges and Bushes

Holly

You can buy Holly in different heights, and it is fast growing. It works well as a hedge, and it is more affordable if you start with a smaller plant and let it grow. You can create a boundary with this plant.

Buddleja Davidii

This is a bush that loves the sun and attracts butterflies. It gives you flowers many months out of the year, and it does well in the sun in dry soil.

What Edibles Should You Grow?

Many people choose to have a garden full of food that they can eat. This is a great way to save money at the grocery store and eat food that is safe and controlled by you. You can grow organically without any pesticides or chemicals.

Potatoes

Start out by planting potato seeds in an old compost bag or in the ground. You need to start by letting the seeds grow shoots. Place them in trays or egg boxes, and let them sit in a cool spot with light until the shoots form. This takes about six weeks.

Choose a sunny spot outside, and plant them in fertile soil that drains well. You can grow them in containers or in potato bags. They classify potatoes as first earlies, second earlies, and maincrop potatoes. Each grows at different times in the year. First earlies are planted in late March and harvested in June or July. Annabelle is a great variety.

Second earlies plant in April and harvest from June to August; you can try Charlotte. Finally, maincrop potatoes are planted in late April, and you harvest from August to October. You can try Cara or Setana.

Salad Leaves

You can add many different kinds of salad leaves, including spinach, mizuna, and rocket. Grow them organically, and you can cut them and then come back for more. You can start them in pots or trays and then move them to your garden.

Tomatoes

If you want to make growing tomatoes affordable, you should grow fewer plants and keep your focus on the quality of your plant rather than how many you have. You can try cherry Sungold tomatoes or Gardener’s Delight for delicious plants and start the seeds inside at the end of February.

Sweet Corn

If you love corn, it is less expensive to grow it than to buy it. You can try an open-pollinated type that is able to adapt to different climates and soil types. Start with seeds from Damaun, which is a very sweet version of corn.

Fruit Trees

You can choose smaller fruit trees for your garden. If you buy them as bare roots, they will establish fine, and you can often increase them through cuttings.

How to Choose the Best Garden Plants

When you are starting a garden, there are so many options. Once you know what plants are going to give you the most value for your dollar, it can still be difficult to plan what you will have. There are perennials, annuals, vines, ground covers, shrubs, and trees that are all part of your design.

You should always do your research before choosing a specific specimen of a plant. Once you determine that it fits into your budget, you need to know all of its specific needs. Make sure that it can grow and thrive in your climate, and find out how much care it requires. Take a look at different types of plants to consider in your garden.

Trees

When you choose a tree, you need to think very carefully about where you place it. Trees can look wonderful and add shade to your garden, but they grow, and it is important to consider what the tree will look like in the future. If it is too close to the house, it could be hazardous, and future homeowners may need to have it removed.

You should also remember that trees typically grow slowly, so it will take years to enjoy the shade that they may offer. The key is to think ahead, determine whether the tree’s benefits are worth the effort, and know what you are getting into.

There are different types of trees, including the following:

Fast-growing shade trees
Flowering trees
Evergreen trees

Fall foliage trees
Dwarf trees

Shrubs

When you are considering shrubs for your garden, you need to know how they grow and how much maintenance they require. Some shrubs can grow out of control very quickly and require regular attention, while others stay compact. Take a look at some of the most common shrub categories:

Flowering shrubs
Evergreen shrubs
Fall-color shrubs

Fast-growing shrubs

Vines

You can also separate vines by how you use them in your garden and landscaping. Some people love vines because they are so versatile, while others stay away from them because they are high-maintenance. They can quickly take over your garden and your entire yard without proper care. However, they will add to your garden, and they are inexpensive and grow quickly to fill in patches.

Ground Cover

Another type of plant is ground covers, which have pretty leaves and add some interest to your garden. They help prevent soil erosion and can fill in spots in your pathways and around your walls.

Perennials

Perennials are popular because they come back year after year. They do not need to be replanted, and they are low maintenance. You will need to divide them to keep them looking great, and you still need to take care of them. There are a few categories for perennials, including the following:

Tall perennials (hibiscus)
Short perennials

Long-blooming perennials

Annuals

Annuals are great for garden themes and work well in garden beds. They add color to your garden, and they come in different types. Some need sun, while others need shade. They won’t come back when the season is over, but they are great for a summer theme in your garden.

Final Words

When starting a garden, it is important to set your budget. Then, look for affordable plants that give you more value for your money.

Sources

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