Depends mostly on the plant type. Some are very fast growers and could be ready to sell as a liner in less than a year. Forsythia and willow-type trees are the fastest I know of. Others root slowly and grow slowly, so may take a couple years to fill out a pot. Evergreens like: arborvitae, hollies, and boxwoods are very slow growers.
Regular pruning of the fast growers down to just above a "v" branching (leave at least one pair of leaves above each side of the "v") will also give your bushes a more multi-branched, fuller look by the end of that first year as well. Also, everytime you re-pot your plant you will also lose some grow-time as they do a sort of re-set each time their roots are disturbed - so keep that in mind too. I stick my cuttings in potting mix in 2.5 inch cups (instead of 100% sand in a sandbed) right from the beginning just for that reason.
Decide which type(s) of plant you want and then research online for that plant's preferences. Willows like LOTS of water. Japanese Red Maples die very easily from overwatering. Butterfly bushes like direct sun all day long. Hostas prefer shade. Some plants prefer heavier soils, some lighter with lots of drainage. Some have specific acidity requirements and will yellow and die without it (hollies and blueberries for example). You cannot possibly be an expert in ALL plant types but learn all you can about the type you are currently working with and add new types as the years go by.
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