What is the most economical way to finish border?

[WTFIsHappeningInTheWorld]

I had a blank canvas garden, which over the past few months I have planted a few shrubs in but still need probably at least 10 larger shrubs before I start thinking about bedding plants etc.

I have seen a mixed shrub collection where you dont know what the plants are, other than they go together. Is this a good idea? Particularly as I dont necessarily have that much gardening knowledge! Or, should I visit the garden centre/nursery with my plan -which only consists of colour and height requirements

It might look better if you had similar taller evergreen shrubs at the back, grasses look nice too. Do you know what sort of soil you have and which way the garden faces. Garden centres can be very expensive so I would go to local nurseries. Can you post a pic. What colours do you like.

stop and think about what you want from the border. Do you want summer colour?All year round interest? Happy to do a bit of work or zero maintenance? Then think about the conditions - Is it sunny?Shady? What is the soil like - is it heavy and clay like or fine and sandy?
Thinking about this now will save you a lot of time and money in the future.

Thanks @BlanketsBanned I'll get an up to date photo done tomorrow. It is West facing (I think - sun rises on left hand side when facing garden, sets on right), soil is neutral and clay on one side. I have already planted a Salix Flamingo and a silver birch tree which will hopefully grow to create screening from neighbours. Planted under those is a Silbergerren and Goshiki (sp).

I also have a Mahonia Media Winter Sun and Vibernum Bodnantense Dawn planted along the back of the border and need 3 or 4 tall evergreen shrubs for the back of the border. I figure I should concentrate on the tall shrubs at the back first!

It sounds like you have worked hard. If you look up Crocus plants you can see shrubs and plants that grow in those conditions which gives you an idea if what will do well. Are you going to create a wildlife area

I think your garden is south facing which can get hot and scorch plants

The most economical way to do finish the border would be to buy some smaller specimens and allow them to fill out over the next few years; bigger, more mature plants always cost more. The label should tell you what the mature size of the plant should be so you shouldn't have to guess. Garden centres can be quite expensive, I've found more reasonably priced plants at supermarkets, Wilkos (fabulous for cheaper plants), Home Bargains and even Ebay. These places tend to stock plants in a much more seasonal way than garden centres, but luckily with spring around they corner they're probably expanding their ranges as I type! I've also had some great bargains at weekend plant sales that pop up during the summer; I've seen them in supermarket car parks, church halls and even in back gardens! It's always worth keeping your eyes peeled for these if you're out and about.
As others have said, it'd be good to work out how much sun your garden gets and which way it faces (you can use the compass on a smart phone to do this. Or look up your house on Google Maps and zoom right in- north will always be at the top of the page and south at the bottom). The reason everyone always goes on about this is that there's nothing more heartbreaking (and money wasting) than putting plants in that can't thrive because of the conditions. And on the flip side, if the plants are growing in conditions that really suit them hopefully they'll establish much more quickly too. Bear in mind that Silver Birches grow quite big and quite fast, so in time this may cast shade that isn't there currently, depending on how the sunlight works it way around your particular garden over the course of the day.

I tend to have a list of plants I'd quite like on my phone and if I see something at a good price I'll nab it- prices can vary hugely from supplier to supplier. I know you said you don't know masses about plants, but if you go onto the Crocus website you can filter plants by how much sun the border gets, the soil conditions, and which way it faces, as well as your colour and height requirements. You can then add other filters like showing only evergreen or scented plants to whittle your list down a bit. If the list is still overwhelming focus on the plants that have received a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Merit (it'll usually say 'AGM' on the label or webpage, or have the little RHS logo). If you've got the right conditions you'll rarely go wrong with these- part of affordable gardening is avoiding expensive mistakes!! Good luck- and enjoy your new garden. It already sounds lovely with the Vibernum Bodnantense Dawn and Silver Birch- two of my favourites!

Morrisons are brilliant for shrubs (and perennials and bedding plants....), they're cheap (£2-3 each) and whilst they're small when you get them, they grow quickly. You just have to keep going though, as stock changes daily, and seems to arrive at random!

I was also going to suggest supermarket plants. We’ve had quite a few from Morrison’s and they’re cracking plants.

@BlanketsBanned

I think your garden is south facing which can get hot and scorch plants

Garden is west facing (slightly south west) - I followed @Wildwood6's advice about checking google maps!

I didnt think about the shade created by planting Fortunately the silver birch is on the right hand side, plants that side get the sun all morning and over lunch, so fingers crossed the ones I have already planted will survive. I will look for more shade loving plants from now on though!

I now have a colour plan as well as a planting plan, so I can organise planting a bit better - eg I now know I need a couple of blue and purple plants about 1m high to balance it out. And yes, I cant go to a supermarket without browsing the plants

Thanks for all your suggestions

If you like colour then think about planting bulbs in September time. Things like Aliums multiply over the years and can end up giving you great height, colour and are extremely bee friendly.

My garden is full of shrubs but right now I have snowdrops in full glory, the crocuses are coming out, the daffodils and tulips are starting to grow etc. All I did was buy a few bags of bulbs last year and bung them in the ground. I’m amazed at what they bring to the garden - it looks like I know what I am doing!!!

Thanks @BookwormButNoTime I am a bit unsure about planting bulbs while I’m still planting shrubs and the main plants - I don’t want to dig them up. I think I may plan to have most of the pain planting done by September then I could potentially add bulbs then? I do love snowdrops - reminds me of childhood walks in the dene in spring looking for them

Most bulbs need to be planted autumn time so would work with your timings. Make a diary note for August otherwise you do forget to do it. Bulbs are fairly hardy though if you accidentally dig them up.