Question: I have a limited budget. What parts of the landscape should go in first?

Answer: The slower, most permanent plants are first to be planted. That includes large shade trees and turfgrass. Be sure, however, that they fit your long-term objectives, because these are also the most difficult plants to move later should you want to change things around. Next will be the large structural shrubs of your gardens, then the smaller shrubs, vines and groundcovers. Annual and perennial color can come at any time, either for short-term impact while the larger plants are maturing, or for color in a mature garden.