I use 10 inch zinc markers with a garden marker. I've tried the copper and they turn green on me, and the plastic ones break to easily. There are thicker plastic ones that are made by Harland, which are sturdier, but the sun still fades them faster than the zinc ones (my opinion of course)... I label each rose like this:

NAME (top line)
Class of rose / year introduced / breeder (second line)

~Tammy :)

I get copper wire on tags like the ones in the link below. I like the wire on ones because they stay with the plant even when it's moved. I tried the ones you stick in the ground but those seem to always get pulled out and lost. I use a P-Touch label maker to put the names on them. I have some that have held up and are still completely readable after 5 years in the garden.

These are on e-bay but I've bought them both on line and in nurseries so they should be easy to find.

Here is a link that might be useful: copper plant tags

Forgot to include pic...this might make more sense :)

Seil...is there a certain type of label that you use in your printer? I would love to find printed labels that hold up in the rain/sun...it would look much more professional...

~Tammy

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:216243}}

One inexpensive, effective but not pretty label is to cut a little elongated round edged strip from a soda or beer can. Ordinary scissors work fine. Punch a hole in it with a hole puncher and write on the back side of the metal with a nail or pen. It will indent the metal permanently. Then tie on with a twist tie.

I use black scratch-on labels. A homemade label can be made from discarded Venetian blinds. Cut off slats at suitable lengths and mark with a permanent marker or a lead pencil. Punch holes and tie on with wire.

Here is a link that might be useful: black scratch-on labels

After a well drilling crew knocked down and scattered all my labels in one entire bed, I started using leftover driveway pavers, and I write the name and all info with industrial marker and sink them partially in the soil in front of the rose. The squirrels can't carry these babies off (which they used to do).

Thank you all for sharing.I started using the copper markers but they have become really hard to read--even tho, I have scribed them w/ an ink pen. I always keep a list in my gardening journal.. BUT I am going to buy the P-Touch label maker to try it... Sounds wonderful if it will hold up.

I use 15" stainless steel markers from Kincaid Gardens. The label is made on a Brother P-Touch label maker using water & UV resistant laminated labels. I started using them 4 years ago and the original markers look as good today as they did then. The stainless stays looking good, the 15 inch heavy duty wires don't rust, and puts the labels up where I can see them easily.
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I used the zinc markers for a few years and the wires all rusted away after a year. I replaced them with the taller stainless steel.
The metal plate has a unique way of locking on so it can't come off.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kincaid Stainless steel plant markers

I've used Cook's aluminum plant labels for my roses and all other plants where they've been suitable for nearly 30 years. There are many out there right now that are that old. I can't find the brand and package on line at the moment, but they're just like the ones pictured at the link below. In my area, they are usually in a white box, fifty tags and wires for about $7 or $8. I've found them at the home improvement stores, some nurseries and a few department stores which had "nurseries". A box lasts me a year or two, depending upon how manic I am about "collecting" that year! Kim

Here is a link that might be useful: Aluminum labels

Queenbee, just make sure you get the labels meant for outdoors like Karl said. I tried the indenting thing too and after a couple of years they were unreadable. The labels have worked out much better.

This is from the oldest batch of mine.

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And this is one of the newest ones.

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As you can see they've held up great!

I agree, Kim. Pencil works best in the garden. I've bought every kind of garden/permanent marker there is and they all fade in a year or two.

I found with the embossing that they were to hard to read easily. I had to get me nose down in there to actually decifer them, especially once they got dirty. I like the big bold black and white of the labels. I can read them easily even from a distance. I don't bend like I used to, lol!

Are you saying you're not as "bendy" as you used to be, Seil? LOL! Who is? Kim

Lol, exactly, Kim! No Gumby here!

I use a black oil based paint pen. They can be found in art supply stores.

I use my printer - and laminate the prints - and put them in cheap stainless steel spring holders - this rose was planted in 2004 ...

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Kim, are these the ones you use? I keep mine next to my computer so that while I'm online I can make more--that doesn't mean I'm good about actually taking them outside and putting them on the roses!;) I get these at a local nursery, Mt. Fuji, in Upland, CA.

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On mine I write the name, class, date and name of breeder (plus country), and where and when I acquired the plant. For example for Europa's Rosengarten the label shows

Europa's Rosengarten
Floribunda
1989, Karl Hetzel (Germany)
Eurodesert Roses, CA, 2011

Here are some plant markers/signs used by Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont, CA. Btw I asked about the markers, and they told me that they try to always put the ones with the accession number on the south side of the plant. So if you really want to know what it is, search for that marker (sometimes 2 different kinds are used--one in the ground the other wired on the plant). The signs are more prominent and contain more info.

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The last 2 above were on the same plant of R. minutifolia. What I like about what they are using is the heaviness of the wire gauge. I'm looking to find a wire that is a bit more substantial than what came with the Cole's (very fine--sharp looking too for rose canes!) and yet is still flexible and easy to work with and will fit through the pre-punched holes.

Melissa

Thanks Melissa, yes, those are the ones I've used for decades. I love them. I've been amazed how much thinner they've been made over the years. When I encounter an old one with the telephone pole thickness wire, compared to the eyelash thickness wire of today, it surprises me. Kim

Now that I've read all these great ideas, I want to redo my labels...or at least continue on with printed labels.

Is this the kind of P-Touch printer that any of you are using?

Here is a link that might be useful: P-Touch Printer

For wire go to Lowes or Home Depot and look at the electrical wire. You can get it in any gauge you want and it's very flexible and vinyl coated to protect the plant. I buy a spool of the stuff and use it for all kinds of things around the house. Comes in colors too!

I got the PT-2700/PT2710 printer, Got it at Woot for $20 three years ago.
Amazon often has them cheap. Amazon is where I buy the tape cartridges also.

I think that's the same model I have, Karl. I've ben buying the tapes at Officemax. I'll have to check out Amazon, thanks!

Just purchased a PT-1090 and a roll of the extra adhesive laminated tape..I think it is going to work great.. So happy for this post..

I ended up with PT-2030 (prints up to 5 lines) and 3/4 inch laminted tape off of Amazon. I can't wait to make all the new lables! Thanks for the great suggestion :)

I don't think it matters so much which P-Touch model you have. The important thing is to get the heavy laminated tapes for outdoor use.

I am trying to be more organized with my garden since I'm almost done with a backyard remodel and have a chance to "start fresh." This is a great thread even though it's a few years old. It's a smart thing to add to the "to do list" for the garden in fall or winter. Thank you so much for the ideas. It made me think of the dremel engraver tool I used to mark my tools when I was younger (I grew up with 3 brothers on a ranch). I know I have that dremel somewhere still. My roses are getting dog tags this season! :)