Our HD's never have distressed racks. They either toss them in a dumpster or send them back....not allowed to discount. Lowe's on the other hand, always has distressed racks.
I am not an "in the house gardener" so I stay away from house plants. I will, however, buy every 50 cent annual off the rack if it has any green in it. With gardens on about 1/4 acre of my 5, I always have some dirt to put annuals in. They are only dying because they are root bound and need some space. I can take them home, cut the deads off, put them in the ground and they will almost always come back. Dianthus are a great one. They will root in for the summer and come fall and a little cooler weather, start blooming again. I find some of these are really perennial as with some of the landscaping salvias and they will continue to come back again and again.
One of my plant nurseries will put their bulbs on sale at 50% off, caladiums, blood lilies, EE and others. In my area you can plant them and if the fall is extended, they will grow during the same season, then come back next spring.
