Cheapest may not always be the best option with trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs are pricey regardless of whether you buy the most or least expensive, so it's important that you don't have too many trees and shrubs die in the first year. If you buy the cheapest available trees and shrubs but have to replace most of them you'll end up paying a lot more in the end. Having said that, I don't think higher priced places necessarily have the best quality either. Ask around and find out who's had success and from which nurseries. Personally, based on my experience and that of a couple neighbours, I'd recommend you stay away from Eagle Lake Nurseries at Strathmore. My neighbours and I have lost more trees from there than we've had live. And their warranty hasn't been that good either. That's another thing to check ... make sure you're getting some kind of warranty with your trees and shrubs. Nursery warranties can range from good luck buddy to one full year. The nursery I've had the best luck with is a small local one called Boone's near Drumheller. They're priced reasonably, and I've had good survivor rates from their stock. They offer zero warranty though, so it's a real leap of faith buying from them.
If you're putting in perennials, you don't have to worry so much about where you buy them from. As long as you're buying perennials that are rated for this horticultural zone you should do fine. So cheaper is definitely better with perennials.
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