I save straight-walled 2-liter soda bottles from work. Cutting off the top gives a 4.25 inch diameter round pot that is very resistant to cracking, and much taller than needed.
I also make 20 ounce Sobe bottles into 2.75 inch pots, but they have horizontal ridges that get messy if the pot gets root-bound (but you can cut the plastic away to release the over-age root ball.).
Pretty, no. But free.
I also saved a discarded steel wastebasket from work, around 2 feet across at the top. I haven't had a use for it yet!
>> I like to plant shrubs in wide containers.
How about 4-5 gallon buckets cut down to 18 inches tall, and wrapped with decorative, waterproof contact paper?
Some sources of free plastic buckets if you sweet-talk well:
fast food places (e.g. pickles)
delis (dumpster-dive)
bakeries
deli & bakery departments in supermarkets
paint and spackle buckets from contractors (clean them WELL)
