I think it's a great idea!! Various vintage/antique/'junque' stores in my area do something similar and they are always big hits.

I'd focus on anything that could be used for a container - butter or pickle tubs, egg baskets, old stock tanks, any kind of ceramic or metal container.......pretty much anything conceivable you could plant a plant(s) in. Or use as a cache pot. I haunt garage sales, flea markets and vintage/antique stores looking for similar objects. And be sure to have a few planted up as examples of what can be done. I'd keep the plants and soils to a minimum - plants need ongoing care and I doubt you could sell soil any cheaper than Walmart. If anything, I'd look specifically at container/potting soils and the better quality kind, not the Miracle Gro stuff. Maybe even mix up your own per the container soil recipes listed here and then you could charge a premium price. Other gardening supplies suitable for container gardening may work also.

I'd also be on the look out for anything that could be used as yard art - antique galvanized watering cans, old tools or farm equipment, old wagons or wheelbarrows, bottles for bottle trees, sections of old iron fencing/railing (good for vines), old bird houses and cages, old metal bed frames. Even old window frames are used in the garden, both to construct cold frames and as decorative elements. Maybe find a source for twig furniture and baskets, too. Any kind of vintage outdoor furnishings or furnishing that can be used on the patio, deck or porch. Keep it rustic and country looking and priced right and you should sell like crazy!!

Rather than live plants, which will need constant attention (although some really tough ones like sedums or hardy succulents, herbs, maybe ferns or groundcovers could work), look for plants that can be sold dried - teasel, curly willow stems, red twig dogwood stems, strawflowers, grapevine wreaths, plants with berries, etc. And any garden type accessories that might be appropriate - decorative light strings, windchimes, bird and bat houses.

Sounds like fun!! I'd do something like this in a heartbeat if I wasn't already busy full time as a landscape designer :-)

Spot on John!!!

Right now, ,,, Wreaths, Poinsettias, Christmas cactus etc.. would do well, I see them every where!!

Pots with live herbs, small enough to sit on the windowsill, and advertised as such. Especially the fragrant ones such as rosemary and basil. People love the smell of fresh herbs, especially in the winter.

Bundles of Cinnamon sticks with potpourri burners too!!

You might check with the NC Dept of Agriculture. I think you have to get a license or permit to sell live plants whether or not you grown them yourself.

NC Dept of Ag - permits for nursery sales