for larger pots, probably referred to more-so as planters, that would be left outside year round (hard winters), what would be your material of choice? I used to have some wooden barrels and I really liked those, but they are kind of pricey. I'm looking for something large, say 18-24 inches across.

I love a high quality plastic. Costco usually has some nice ones that are 22 inches in spring. Love the pottery but just too heavy for me.

These are plastic that I bought at costco about 5 years about
Home Depot and Lowes have some nice ones too.

Plastic or fiberglass . We have no room to store ceramic over winter so containers stay where they are. I have 2 ceramic containers on the sheltered front porch where snow cant pile onto them.
The rest of my containers are some sort of man made material. I buy nice ones from Big Lots or The Christmas Tree Shop.

I try to find resin planters with thicker sides. They might cost a few dollars more, but that extra bit of insulation really helps sunny planters during the heat of summer.

Here's a picture that shows what I mean-

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Gro...

You can also save $$ by using inexpensive plastic refuse containers for your shadier/cooler areas. http://garden.org/ideas/view/c... . They're readily available in many shapes, sizes and colors.

Chelle I love that deep red container. I'll have to make a trip to Home Depot.

I tried a Styrofoam container this last summer. Planted a young maple with sedum and silene as ground covers. I am so happy with the results, they plant all grew wonderfully. I was going to plant the tree in the ground this last fall, but decided to keep it in the container. Now I will try finishing the outside part of the Styrofoam to make it look like stone.

If I had a place to store Styrofoam planters for winter I'd try that, too. I read a tutorial on it and it sounds so neat!

I found a photo of it from Aug. 2014. As of fall your couldn't see the rim of the box or soil. I like the idea of making the box look like limestone (tufa type).

My favorite is still ceramic.

I like ceramic too and have several fairly large ones I use for cannas. But they are very difficult to move. That chore will be coming up for me when I have to pull them out of the garden and clean them out for the next round.

I also have some large plastic type ones that work well and are easier to move but certainly don't look as nice.

I have to say that my favorite all around containers are high fired ceramic. They stay out year round. The large ones stay in place, no moving them anymore at this time of my life.

Though I prefer quality wood or ceramic containers, I rarely buy any containers that are new. Therefor my favorite are the ones I can salvage and give new life to. Something that otherwise would be thrown out. I love to repurpose found objects and also build containers from wood scraps, or even wood branches off my own property. Have lots of cedar on my property.

I would love to see some of them Gerry.
I have become quite fond of tiny re-purposed items to grow little plants in. I can usually find them at yard sales for 5 to 25 cents.

I think most of us do some repurposing to one extent or another. I'm afraid my yard isn't big enough to find anything on that I don't know about already so no surprises. But if I'm out walking and see a nice piece of wood I'll pick it up, usually just to poke in the garden somewhere. Might be time to visit some garage sales around town this summer.

Yard sales, thrift stores, and such have always been my primary source for containers. Even dollar stores can have some items which can be useful as pots. Lately though, I have a renewed energy to create things from "nothing". This past year I did a lot of pruning on trees which have been giving too much shade and also cut down a few trees for firewood. So I've been working on crafted pots from branches which were not very suitable as firewood but don't what to burn in the firepit or throw in the compost. Will post pics when I unload my garage in a couple months. Meanwhile I'll post such in the ideas forum as I put one together (with pics) over the next week or two.

I can't wait to see them Gerry. If you post the photos in another forum, please give us a link.

Yeah send the link. I like stick and log pieces.

I was thinking along the lines of large planters that are permanently placed outside and not moved. I would like to plant something under a large invasive type tree. I do not have anywhere to store containers and I am not able to move them anyway. I would like to put perennials in them, maybe a small shrub like an azalea. I don't think clay or ceramic can overwinter outside here and I don't know about the styrofoam. ? We get lots of snow, ice and temps down to 0 or below, so freezing/thawing is a problem here.

http://twomenandalittlefarm.bl...
I have seen these planted up.

ha! I feel so dumb! why didn't I think of that! metal! I did think of using some rubbermaid tubs. They are large and cheap to replace after a few years. I don't know how they would hold up to freezing though. The sun would not be an issue under my tree.

Love hearing all the viewpoints. I love a combination of all the above.