I hesitate to say this, because it sounds like you're very keen to stick anything at all in your enormous bare plot, but have you already decided what you want in terms of what you'll be using the garden for? I mean things like washing lines, barbecues, patio/terracing, outbuildings, lawns, planting areas, children's play area, or come to that, in an area that size and for all I know, a crazy golf course, swimming pool or tennis court;- have you plotted where they should go? And do you know what plants you want?
If the answer to those questions is no and no, then you might want to take some time to consider before spending money on job lots of shrubs which you may later need to remove or spend all your time hacking back. The cheapest way to buy shrubs is usually in the form of small hedging plants, which is fine if you want a hedge. If you don't, then maybe not...

We built a bank 300ft long by 6ft high 9ft from our boundary as they are trying to get planning permission beyond this. We have left it 4ft wide and flat on the top just in case. If it ever happens I can then plant shrubs trees etc to retain our privacy. I thought of planting varigated ivy and daffs as it is too steep to mow and too far away. On one side the neighbour has delapidated asbestos buildings and on the other is rough land then allotments. I want to plant evergreen boundary, at present there are seversl old trees, a holly and shrubland. I dont intend to removethese but want something to infill. The plan for the garden is lawn and a few shrub-perrenial borders so not too high maintenance. I intend a play area to one side for the grand kids any suggestions. Went to a garden show and paid over 20 quid for 4 hebes. HOPEFULLY by next spring I can have a polytunnel but want something for spring

So you've clearly thought quite hard about it, in fact! That's a lot of space to manage though, not sure I'd take it on now. However, regarding the bank, the difficulty you might have will be with watering initially, so ivy might be a good idea because its pretty tough and once its settled in over the winter, should spread like wildfire. You can buy small ivy plants quite cheaply during autumn, they sell them small for people to use in window boxes and the like over winter. Just make sure you don't choose one of the less hardy varieties. Otherwise, on a bank, Cotoneaster procumbens 'Queen of Carpets' is brilliant, spreads several feet per plant and makes quite a dense cover of the soil. I don't think I'd mix ivy with any other shrubs, though bulbs will work for a few years, till the ivy takes over the whole bank with its roots. At which point, it may be impossible to plant anything in the top because of the density of ivy root...

For cheaper plants to mark your boundaries, google hedging plants - this should come up with various companies who supply hedging plants during autumn, and this is usually the cheapest way to buy them. Check whether what they're supplying is bare root or not - they're cheaper bare root, and those usually come around late October, November or even early December, but you'd need to have prepared the ground prior to their arrival so you can get them in pretty quickly after delivery. If you want mixed boundary hedges, you could maybe order 4 or 5 different types of hedging and mix them up when you plant.

Thank you visited car boot during summer and got 20 ivy plants for 4 quid have looked after them well in anticipation. Patio now laid, small sitting area being done this week. When we bought the property unfinished there was a transit in the overgrowth because we could see the orange light on top and we found a dumper so not doing too bad, which all had to be cleared hence no plants - but I miss a garden

Oh, tell me about it - I've only got a balcony here in London. I'm considering moving up country (the north west, to the left of manchester) because I can get a bungalow with a garden up there... and can't afford that here. As for the transit, I recall my first garden secreting quite a few strange objects - a car bonnet, tyres, an old cooker and, barely buried, an old fashioned sprung bedstead...

You can buy, or even download for free, a garden planner program. It allows you create a plan of your garden and add plants, trees or shrubs from the database where you would like to put them. The best thing about these programs is that they will give you a 3D picture of how your garden will look with the various plants that you choose in 1, 2 or many years to come. If you don't like how a particular plant will look, or if it over grows others, then it's easy to just choose another until you're happy with the design.

I agree to look for bare rooted plants now for planting out november to march, the small plants may not look much but with good preparation get away quickly
I,d suggest a small grassed orchard too the children would love it

As you live in Norfolk you're not too far from the largest plant auctions in the country in Wisbech

well worth a visit

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31559373@N00/2513815168/in/photolist-4Q8XEQ-4Q8Xtm

Going next week

Be interesting to hear how you get on if you feel like writing a blog about it......

If you're relying on the information in my link make sure you check it as it was written some time ago and starting times/auction days may have changed

How about a traditional native mixed hedge of hazel, hawthorn, dog rose etc?

Am looking for plants that will retain privacy over the winter months so pref evergreen ie holly pyracanthea have been suggested beech

Berberis darwinii is another one (evergreen, prickly, yellow/orangey flowers in May) and Cotoneaster 'Cornubia' (semi evergreen, red berries, gets up to 20 feet if you let it) are another couple.

Viburnum tinus is evergreen and has white flowers for months over the winter period . it can be treated as a hedge if required