Bellegallica: I hoard plastic pots, and friends hoard them for me -- not only the black ones, but the dark green ones, brown ones and the maroonish ones. They're cheap (as in free, usually), easy to store, durable (some more so than others) and almost infinitely re-useable. Who DOESN'T love 'em? However, I don't agree that plastic is superior in all ways to clay. When I've potted-up multiples of a single variety -- some in clay, some in plastic -- I've found that the ones in clay generally develop more quickly, both above and below the soil. Try a test of your own to see if you observe the same difference. If, during the course of a summer day, one were to go to the trouble of monitoring interior soil temperatures in the two types of pots, my strong hunch is that the soil in clay would consistently be cooler than the soil in a plastic pot of comparable size. Plants in clay do dry out faster -- not only because of heat, but due to the porosity of the clay and the attendant higher rate of transpiration. The more moist the soil, the more heat it will retain under summer conditions. IMO, the fact that plants in clay dry out faster is a good thing. Clay makes for better aeration of the soil which, in turn, promotes good root growth. Throughout the summer months I have to water everything in my pot ghetto frequently anyway, so the fact that the plants in clay get thirsty more quickly makes very little difference, time-wise or water-wise. There are a couple of independent specialist nurseries near here that whitewash the exteriors of black plastic pots to reflect heat. I've considered attempting that, but haven't (and probably won't). You're probably correct that black plastic will absorb more heat from winter sun than clay. How long that heat is retained, though, likely depends on the gauge of plastic used in fabricating the pot.

I have 4 one gallon or larger pots that I would like to swap for Hibiscus (red or pink preferred and a little of the Purple millet (for my chickadees) Here is a link that might be useful: susan77

Ohh, right off the bat I know I have some hardy water lilies...just to get something listed...they are yellow or white ones

Many nurseries (real) not Depots will have some new pots (black plastic) that they will sell for reasonable pricing. Cost plus a small mark up as a service to their loyal customers. As an example I offer 1 thru 7 gallon for cost plus 25% for folks potting up or doing maters or other plants that don't want to use fancier pots for their projects. Call around and you may be suprised. If I have more than I need of recycle pots I will offer those for a fair price. Yes, I like to recycle and no I can't afford to give them away anymore. The savings I create helps me to keep my plant pricing reasonable and fight the Depot mentality. Happy Growing David