I use these

Those I made last year look as good as they did when printed. I used the 1" TZ type tapes that are UV resistant. Every one of my 400 roses has this type marker. I bought the 20" model so the plate was higher and easier to read.

Here is a link that might be useful: Heavy Duty Stainless steel garden markers

lee valley tools have copper tags that you use an ink pen to PERMANENTLY indent the words into the copper, no ink to fade or wash away

The problem I have found with copper is that as it tarnishes, the ink while under there somewhere, is no longer readable unless you have the right light, a good angle, and good glasses.

When I get my shiznit together, I plan to go Karl's route, the prices are very affordable as these tags go. Also, you can always add a new label to a tag of a bush that, er, 'went away' for some reason.

I bought the PawPaw zinc rose markers, spray painted the fronts of the labels black, and bought a Brother label maker on E-bay to make name tags. I used the the silver matte tape which is rated for outdoor use, and the rose names are in black.

The tape has held up well through two snowy Illinois winters, and are very easy to see and look great in the garden. Easy to rake around also.

Thought I posted a reply already ? Anyways, thanks for the input. I have a craftrobo so I could get creative.

I guess I should have asked how do the big guys get the round tags? Any info is appreciated. I would like to have a large amount ...well for me.... of the round tags, I am guessing I would want about 1000 or so for my minis. I have a tax ID etc if you would need one ? Other than that, I guess the metal markers would do fine I just wanted a pro look! http://thegardenpet.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=1056&zenid=d2ouepthvsni3bbn322aeh8tr1
Regards,
Andrew

The round tags that the "big guys" generally use represent licensing fees paid for propagation rights for exactly the number of tags purchased. In other words, if Certified Roses wants to grow and sell 1000 bushes of "Easy Does It," it pays the licensing fee for 1000 plants to Weeks (who owns the rights in the U.S), gets propagation materials for that quantity and 1000 tags indicating that the licensing fees were paid for each such newly propagated plant. Those round metal tags are how the "big guys" make sure they've been paid their licensing fees. Namely, if a plant they are due licensing fees on shows up in a market without those tags, the propagators can be tracked down and made to pay the fees.

Kathy

p.s. They were selling the tags in your link for $.99 at the 99 Cents Only stores, i.e. 50 tags for a buck, last year.
I bought a whole bunch of packages of those, and that's what I use now.

Thank you for clearing that up for me Kathy.

In northern Ohio, I have had a problem with tags that stick into the ground due to possibly frost heaving, and/or being pulled out by animals. I now make a loop around the plant with fiberglas gutter guard. I attack a clear luggage label to the gutter guard with black (uv resistant) plastic ties. I use a paint pen to write the rose name on both sides. The following is a picture of one of my seedlings with the "cage", but my mature plants have them also.
http://picasaweb.google.com/HAKuska/HenrySRoses#5076308143097221058

Here is a link that might be useful: link for above.