i had some made professionally from AAA engravers in NOLA...expensive but wonderful.

Robert

The markers that I started using last year were "AVERY WEATHERPROOF" 1" x 2 5/8" white labels (there are other brands of weather proof labels that also work but this is what I found locally). You need to print your label with a "LASER" printer to make them last but I have seen labels at my friends garden that are 3+ years old & they still like great. These labels fit nicely on PawPaw & Eon metal rose labels. The nice thing about this system is you can custom make your own labels with different fonts of print plus custom info on your label (i.e. I like to put the introduction date on my OGR's)

If the search is working, Buford has a great picture of the ones that she has. I was so inspired I did the same thing. Maybe tomorrow I'll get a picture of them.
Nancy

Terry, although the copper ones are very pretty starting out as they age and tarnish I couldn't read mine. I replaced them with the Harlane metal ones and this spring going to make some out of cement molds and imprint the names on them. I have a stand that will also mold to hold each name. Not sure how that's going to work out, but it'll keep me busy for awhile.
Then I'll see how they weather.
I know what Nancy is talking about though and they look very sharp, neat and professional.
Leslie

I use black scratch-on labels tied on roses. Scratching with a metal scriber is hard work, not like ordinary writing, but the labels are unobtrusive and last forever. A drawback is that a label can't be reused if a rose is lost. (I have two very elegant signs, an antique sign for Frau Karl Druschki, a painted china sign for Lykkefund so if these roses should die, I'll have to replace them or the signs will be wasted!)

I order the zinc labels from these people, I think they are much cheaper than your other sources. I write on them with a permanent garden marker or paint pen.

I agree about the copper ones, they're junk.

Here is a link that might be useful: label co.

{{gwi:220700}}

Here are my labels. I used the PawPaw tall stands, and made labels on my P-Touch labeler. I used the black tape with gold lettering. I also spray painted the label stand background with black glossy paint (it's silver), since the label wasn't as wide as the stand (the widest label I can use in my label maker was 1").

I like the way they look, however, the gold lettering doesn't stand out as well in full sunlight, so I'm considering using a different color going forward. I have the template set up and a database of my rose names, so all I have to do is print them up.

My only criticism of the Paw Paw stands is that they can be bent easily if you are walking around your roses and step on them. So get extra :)

I saw the AAA engraved labels in Robert's garden, and I love them!! I have ordered from them twice, and I will soon place another order for labels for the roses I am getting this winter and spring.

Great customer service, as well.

Connie

Robert your lables are beautiful. I use the paw paw lables. They've been better than anything else, but you're right about stepping on them.

Thanks everyone for the great ideas. I'll definitely stay away from the copper stakes.

Buford - is your labeler the Brother G-100? I saw one for sale in the Kinsman catalog and on E-bay for about $54 or so and was thinkiing of ordering it. Do you have trouble finding the replacement tapes?
-terry

I use Harlane markers.. so far they've been good. They were made by June and Frank Benardella (hybridizer Black Jade). I see they've sold the company.

I've lost a few over the years, most likely due to what we were doing in the garden, but for the most part they hold up really well. Out of probably 200 markers I've lost 10 to 20. I bought them about 5 years ago.

Here is a link that might be useful: Harlane markers

Terry, I think my model is the 1960. It hooks up to the computer via USB, so you can do all the formatting and editing on the PC and then print them on the label maker. I usually order the tapes from brother.com. They carry a bunch that you never see in the stores.

I use a p-touch with the outdoor tape. The labels hold up, but I can't find a physical marker that will. We have a LOT of snow and ice, plus wet weather and frost heave in the Spring. Those two piece markers don't hold up at all, and are just wisted lumps by Spring. Does anyone have any suggestions for a solid one-piece marker that might withstand the Maritime climate?