When you say "relatively large" what size do you mean? About a gallon size pot or a 10 inch pot?

I guess "relatively large" is a relatively vague description, eh? I'll probably go in for a variety of pots, from 6" to 10" or anything in between.

I find some of mine at garage sales and estate sale, some have been a real bargain like 50 cents to a dollar.

Or check out Garden ridge for sales.

If this is for having indoors, or on the patio you could try this. I haven't tried it, so it would be an experiment. Since paperwhites are often grown in those bulb vases with just water in them - how about some decorative containers from MJ Design and put marbles or decorative stones in them to hold the bulbs and fill with water to the appropriate level which I think is just at the bottom of the bulb. Seems like it might work.....

Marshall pottery used to have some good prices, especially if you check out the scratch and dent corner....unless you plan to use these as gifts, and even then, a bit of colorful wrap and who'll see the scratch and dents anyway?

I love Debndals suggestion! You could see the roots growing through the marbles, sounds so pretty!

Pam

I read your post earlier & put a couple of pots in a bucket of water to see if all the dirt comes off!
don't know if they're what you have in mind, but:

One is a vegetable serving bowl thatI made in ceramics last summer; it has a hole in the bottom, & the glaze is a dark, bright blue that's supposed to look like the old granite ware.

One is probably made in China, but anyway...
it's more of a traditional "flower pot" shaped thing, no hole in bottom, sandy or gritty finish, sort of taupe or gray/brown color, green palm tree motif.

If they "clean up good", I'll be glad to bring them to the swap.

Also, Big Lots had sets of nesting pots half price yesterday:
you can get big, medium, & small, 3 pots, for $4!
& they might be made in China, too, but they're nice glazed flower pots, seems like no hole in the bottom.

They had nice deep green sets & taupish/neutral color sets.

forgot to say...

Check thrift stores, & think about glass instead of pottery.

Often, the "pots" people use for bulbs are actually serving dishes or vases or compotes.

I'll keep my eyes open for the size you need at garage sales. I also will be taking a trip to a certain Dollar store to see if they have any 10 inch pots left. If they do, I plan to get quite a few and paint them for trade at the plant swap.

I don't think you will have to end up buying any;-) We got ya covered!

Whoo-hoo! I love you guys. I'll hold off buying stuff new for now, and keep my eyes open at garage sales until the swap. You guys don't need a metric ton of boxwoods, do you? The previous owners of my house were hedge-crazy and I have a big green mustache around most of the house!

Now is even a good time for big box stores. They are going on sale or already are. PJ

paperwhites in a bowl are lovely. I haven't done this, but if I did, I'd get a bag of those white marble pieces to the bulbs would sit down in and the weight could help hold them up. They are tricky when they get TALL.

I believe Whiteflower Farms usually has some great pics of gift items that you could do at home

Here is a link that might be useful: great options

when you get to that link, you'll need to search the site for paperwhites

c