If I was searching for something like that, I'd hit the Waccamaw, (is there still any around?) or hit the Carolina Pottery down near Carowinds park.

It's been 100 years since I've been to the Waccama down on Independence Blvd, so I don't even know if it's still there.

Sometimes BigLots gets some huge, gorgeous pots. Might try there, too.

Also, I seen a thread on the GardenJunk forum, (I think), where someone used the spray insulation foam, (great stuff) & sprayed some designs on old pots and doctored them up then painted them. They were sharp!! Could also use a hot glue gun to make a more delicate design. Then you'd have a one of a kind pot. Good luck!

Nancy

I was impressed by the selection of pots at Southern States in Carrboro last fall. Big_Bloomers has also had some nice ones, although I don't recall the price range.

Karen

The only pots I see regularly at the Flea are the big cement monsters and they are none too pretty. I have seen really nice glazed pottery sets at Sam's. They were pricey but a third of what anyone else was selling them for and you got three pots for the price of one (they nested together). Its been awhile since I looked them over so I don't know if they still have them.

Personally I like the dark brownish fiber glass pots that show up at any of the home improvement stores or BigLots. They sorta have this natural dusty look so fit right in with my cleaning skills.

I've planted Alocasias and other Elephant Ears in the large fiberglass urns and the results were stunning.

Good pottery is a big investment. I have some pots that I care more about than the plants they contain!

those ones youhad were very expensive, so i'll throw this out there: logan's downtown raleigh has a great selection of gigantic ceramic glazed pots- some metallicy finishes. i though the prices were reasonable for how BIG they were (like 100 for a huge one). worth a run down to look anyhow... a metal planter you'll have to be careful with- some metals aren't good for the plants, and they can heat up. so you may be better finding something you like in foam or resin & painting it with metallic paint. i got a big urn at h/d or lowe's a number of yrs back in that 1" fom stuff that would fit right in with your ideas. it was about $50. so don't write them off- they are worth a look at least. also, walmart gets some big pots in, though you have to look long & hard to find them. good luck & i'll keep my eyes peeled for you! tam

What about Morgan Imports in Durham?
I work at BB, and I must say we do have some lovely pottery. We have some dark brown ones with vertical hash marks, if that is the word, that make stripes very subtly, and they are not real expensive. Adele, do you recall the prices? -amy

The large brown ones that Amy was talking about are 34 dollars for the largest size. We also have some gorgeous terracotta in all the cool tall sizes. I bought four of various heights and shapes and made a nice arrangement with them altogether. Just planted some hosta and grasses in them today. Adele

These are great ideas! I'm definitely not stuck on metal -- and I don't think Mom is -- so I'll have to keep my eyes open for times that I can travel. maybe head down to BB after the swap with mom...

thanks :)

Arwen

Garden Ridge (if you have them) has some really good prices and large assortment of the large foam pots. Lots of different designs and some are metallic looking. I found one last year that looks like the old metal blue and white speckled enamelware.

I bought some big asian-styled ones - the ones with the goldfish painted inside. I got them at the Raleigh flea market for not much money - in the indoor part, the building with the fudge vendor. I tried a goldfish inside the 3-ft one with a single water lettuce. Pretty, but the water lettuce died over a couple of months without sun inside. Now I just put a circular piece of glass on top and use it as an entry table. Steinmart and TJMaxx sometimes have pretty ones, but selection is spotty. How about the flea market on Buck(horn?) Rd, off I-85? I'm not sure what they have, but it's a lot closer to you, Arwen, than the Raleigh one. It tends to have more flea-type, lower-end stuff, but I occasionally find a treasure - like a 2 ft glass cloche for $1 - when I can get my husband to help me sift thru all the trashy stuff.

Another place to try if you are in the area is the New River Pottery at South Hills Mall in Cary. They are going out of business. Everything is 25% off now and they have a pretty good selection still.

There's a new garden center in Carrboro called Fifth Season, and I saw some nice classy big pots there, for reasonable prices. They have a lot of organic amendments and seed, and heirloom garden tools, too. I'm really impressed with the store!

Arwen, another possibility is Homegoods near Streets of Southpoint in Durham. A decent selection of unusual extra large pots...some metallics. Discount prices.