Perennials: where to begin???

BG09

I have a border area around the front porch of my home (in Zone 4) that is completely empty and I would like to start to fill it with some perennials this spring, however I am at a total loss on what to plant and where to get my plants from.  I don't have a very big budget, so I would like to try to keep it pretty low cost if at all possible.

So where should I start?  I have seen places online that I can order plants from that seem fairly decent...but I am wondering if it's best to just go somewhere local?  Also, what do you think about getting plants from places like Lowes or Menards?  Thanks for any advice you can give me! 

~NB~

I always opt for local. But not a big box store- a nursery.

Before you go, measure the bed area and draw it out on grid paper (to scale). Take this drawing with you, and ask for help. Usually, a nursery employee will be more knowledgable and HAVE THE TIME to walk around with you to help you make selections.

TarHeels&Rebels

If you have some shade, try hostas.  The best part is that if you ask around, you can probably find someone who'll give you some for free.  The previous owners had planted ~30 hostas at our house and they needed to be divided and I ended up with ~60 plants!  I was literally throwing them at people lol.  Hostas that have white margins can take more sun than those with solid green leaves. 

I know nurseries are supposedly the better place to get your plants (and I've heard big box stores essentially have factories producing plants), but for your money, you can't beat the deals at big box stores.  FWIW, I've bought a mix of nursery and big box annuals for the past two summers - the big box annuals were troopers; the nursery ones hardly performed at all and ended up being a waste of money.  I think that may be because nursery varieties are more finicky or their plants are pampered more than the dumb-consumer-proof varieties sold at big boxes, but I don't know for certain.  All I know is that I'll be buying my summer flowers from HD because I'm not spending double my money for kicks on a generic geranium.

In the same breath, I'll tell you to do your research and don't be in a hurry to fill the bed.  I've lived here for a year and just discovered last week a great local wholesale nursery where the guy grows his own plants and will tell you everything you've ever needed to know, and since he's wholesale to the public, he's cheaper than the big boxes and has an incredible variety.  If you look around and really learn your plants, you can find good deals.

Additionally, don't believe everything that comes out of anyone's mouth, be they at a nursery or at a big box.  Take notes on what they're saying, then go home and google.  I can't tell you how many times I've told a nursery worker I was looking for something small/for shade and they recommended something that got 12' tall/for sun.  I've also gone into a nursery asking for a specialized plant to be told, "we don't sell them because they do not do well here," only to see that plant at the nursery the next season and have them sing their praises.  The nursery will also pooh-pooh a plant that's thriving in my yard.

another KT

A lot of garden clubs have sales now.  My local Master Gardener Extension also hosts a sale.  Also check Craigslist for sellers or you can offer services on Craigslist for plants in payment.  If you have time for that you may find senior citizens through your local senior center that don't have money to keep up with their gardens.  Talk to you neighbors.