Angie Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 I have seen some lovely extra large terracotta pots - I think they are really wine vessels? Some have space for plants but some are standalone and look great on a terrace. Does anyone know if they are available to buy in France as we have looked and can't find anything anywhere near this size. Maybe a trip over the border into Spain? Not too fussed if they are reconstituted or even (dare I say it) plastic!! as we have quite a largish terrace to fill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 There used to be several places in Spain not far from the border http://archive.org/details/Antonwithagen-CeramicaCatalunya324but I haven't been for years so can't compare prices.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sid Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Terracotta isn't always able to withstand frost, so whilst they are fine in Spain they need to be taken indoors in places where the temperature goes below zero. Frost-resistant pots are usually marked as such, but fake ones are marked too, so it's POT LUCK ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Sid is right and I have had quite a lot of experience with terracotta pots!Most of them laminate after a couple of winters and some break up. AND I'm talking about expensive ones that say "frost RESISTANT". In the UK, such pots are a reasonable price and can last many years (particularly if you live in the south or by the sea).In the 2 parts of France where I have lived, they haven't been able to withstand the prolonged cold and frost in the winters.A good compromise would be to get large wooden or metal containers and put several terracotta pots (perhaps of different shapes, sizes, etc) in each to create a display but the pots themselves individually will not cost an arm and a leg to replace.As for plastic, I'd veto that: they do not grow mosses or a nice patina with age and, IMHO, they look completely naff.Sorry if you don't like my response....but I wouldn't bother posting if I didn't think I'd at least provoke some thoughts if not influence your actions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Plastic pots can be "aged" with a mix of resin de anchorage and cement/fine sand. covered in a coat of natural yogurt the lichen etc soon grow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 A light sanding and just painting with live yoghurt should do it...... I've seen decent salt glazed pots at vide greniers, very reasonably priced...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 We've got a couple of really large "stone" urns out in France. They look completely realistic but they're actually fibreglass. \i can;t remember how much they were, but they came from Wilkinsons and they certainly weren't particularly expensive.Just to give you an idea (and, once again, I can assure you that we paid very little for ours) have a look at these: [url]http://www.crinklecrankle.com/products/c-fibreglass-planters-pots[/url]Silly prices, but the faux-terracotta ones certainly don't look new and plasticky. And a bit of yogurt will probably add to the ageing effect pretty fast.Ours have now survived some nine winters in France including temperatures as low as minus 14 or 15, with snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Fantastic range of ideas, thank you so much everyone. Yes, we have had the same problem with terracotta pots in the UK and paying extra doesn't seem to make any difference. I do agree that some plastic pots look naff (so am not offended!!) but the yoghurt suggestion is certainly worth a try. Will also let you know how I get on if we have a trip over the border into Spain. We did think about making some wooden planters so that's another idea to try. Thanks again all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I have a fibre glass pot too, very realistic.Whatever you choose I think the trick is to stick to the same material, or at least group similar materials together for maximum effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I believe you are in the Aude, but there is this place near here in l'Héraulthttp://www.serres-de-saint-andre.com/fr/vente-de-poterie-herault.htmlThey even have an American assistant.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I like the idea of Betty's Fibreglass pots. But one of my favourites is Zinc and you don't have to worry about the weather: Large zinc plantersPots jardin zinc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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