Buy seeds instead of plants. Do a good search online for starting and growing needs because we can't grow everything. It takes longer to get results, but the rewards are higher, too.

Bulbs, too, such as Callas, Cannas, Caladiums, and the smaller sizes of Alocasias and Colocasias, can be bargains.

Ricinus(castor oil) are easy grown from seed but seeds are poisonous so if you have young children take care.
Elephants ear bulbs(Taro bulbs) are usually on sale on ebay but you maybe able to find them in supermarkets,dahlias also add a splash of colour later on,coleous have colourful foliage,phoriums& yucca are good too..the list is endless :)