All the names are stored in my brain. I also have signs on each rose but that is for my DH and for visitors.

Options for remembering the names of the roses include:

Make a map or diagram of your yard, and write the name of the rose on the map. Make sure to keep it updated!

Make signs and place them on or near each rose. Types of signs could include:

--Metal signs manufactured for that purpose. Some can be written on with indelible markers. Some people use P-Touch labels with UV resistant label stock to stick on these signs. Advantage is excellent visibility and readability. Disadvantage is small kids love to rearrange them. Pets or feet can knock them out of the ground.

--Metal tags wired to the rose. Big advantage here is they are difficult for small children to remove and rearrage. Drawback they are harder to see.

--Smooth rocks can be painted with the name of each rose and placed at the base. This can be a fun little project to do with the kids.

I'm sure others will chime in with other ideas!

Never mind kids, my wretched dogs won't leave plant tags alone. I've tried pieces of venetian window blinds...they loved those. I've tried popsicle sticks with magic-marker writing...they followed me around the yard pulling those up. Small rocks are playtoys. Right now I'm using metal frames (for labels) that are constructed as metal stakes, and the dogs don't mess with them, but the wind blows the laminated labels out of the frames unless I secure every single one with a paperclip or something similar. (grinding teeth.)

I use the Brother P-Touch2700 that takes TZ durable laminated tape and PawPaw (F) everlast labels.

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Potted roses are a lost cause for this because the pot can be moved then a map of the yard does no good. My roses that are in the ground are easy to remember , it is the potted roses that get moved while I am at work that cause problems. SO gets it in her mind to straighten up the yard and moves every pot to a central location. Then someone or something pulls the tags and the next thing you know the roses are unidentified.

Lance

I started out doing the metal markers with pencil, they are a pain to weed around and I've mowed many. I finally realized when you get too many it looks like a public garden or arboretum. You learn them eventually. I have a sketch pad that I draw the house and certain landmarks, rather crude but it works well, and also I can plan for new ones that way, always in the house and handy. I'm to the point where it really doesn't matter except to know the color, habit, bloom time etc. When planning for more. I planted many seeds this fall in areas I would be afraid to plant a rose that cost money,lol, but if any of them grow they won't have names anyway.

I saw a idea for a label on another forum. I believe someone saw it at a public garden overseas. It is about the size of a post card. On one side has a picture of the rose that captures a bloom and a few leaves. On the other side gives the rose name, class, etc. the card is laminated and attached to the rose. I am going to try making a few and see what how it works.

I thought a good way to be able to easily ID roses and colors if you need to replant when they are not blooming.

Its funny, I am at the point where I forget just about everything, especially people's names. However, I always remember the names of my plants.

I can't remember my grandson's names and there are only two of them. Hoovb and Harryshoe how many plants do you have?

I have labels similar to Mark. I also have a spreadshee with info on each rose including location (which bed) along with when I bought, it where I got it from, hybridizer, etc....

Garose,
I would have answered sooner, but I forgot I was Harryshoe.

I have about 50 some.

I have gotten to where I keep up with it on my computer since its so easily accessible. I have files named for most of my beds and in each file it tells whats in that bed and where its located in that bed. I have a couple huge beds that its nearly impossible to do that though so on some of them I left the tag towards the back of the plant. When I first started getting so many I typed me up a list and kept it with me to keep from getting one I already had. Sounds bad but I have looked at so many on here and so many look alike I really forget if I have bought it or not. Then when I buy more I add it to my list on my computer and reprint it. Its easy to just pull out the list and see if I have it or not. Good luck figuring out what you are going to buy and designing your beds. Thats half the fun of it all. Can't wait to see your pictures. Take care, Judy

Markiz, I just bought a Brother P-Touch P2700 on E-Bay today. Any suggestions on where to buy the tape at a reasonable price? Also, what size font do you use, and is there a particular tape that is recommended for outdoor use?
Thanks for the advice.
-terry

Terry, I don't know where to buy it cheaper, I buy it at Staples and they last for a long time. I use 3/4" TZS641 Extra Strength Adhesive Laminated tape, up to 2x stronger than standart but you could also use 1" inch. For small prints [cuttings, pots] I use 1/2 TZ231 tape.
Lana

The label stock will say "UV resistant" on the package, and "indoor/outdoor". I have some that have held up well for at least 4 years now.

garose I have about 300 roses, but only about 220 different kinds--duplicates of some of them.

Thanks for all the great advice. I am going on Ebay to find a bother label maker and I also think I would like to keep diagrams and a spreadsheet on my computer too, as an accountant you can never have enough "paper trail". I can't imagine having 50+ or 300 roses but I am looking forward to catching up with all of you.

Thanks, Lana and Gail. There's a Staples right by my house. It will be so much easier to make my own labels rather than ordering them, and less expensive also.

One last questions...what color tape works well and is easily seen? Any preferences or hints?

I keep a map on my computer with pictures. I probably don't keep it as updated as I should though.

I do labels similar to Markiz except I use black letters on a clear tape. It then looks like the letters are directly printed on the metal. I don't use the extra strength adhesive labels because the regular strength hold up just fine. The only problem is the shiny metal markers are kinda distracting in the garden. Ideally I would like to find something like the paw paw labels only in black. Then I would do white lettering on a black background. But I haven't found anything that's affordable. Spray painting the labels black is waaay too Martha Stewart for me (as if making all these labels isn't? lol).
Best prices for Brother label tapes are online.

Hi Georgia Rose,

I started using the wire and aluminum garden label stakes and put clear plastic mailing labels on them. I print the labels on a laser printer with the font of my choice. The labels have lasted two years now in full sun, although some of the plastic labels are loose at the ends. I can clean the old labels off and apply new ones. They look really good.

Gary

Everyrose, Brother makes lots of label/print color combinations. This is the company I ordered from (twice). It was the cheapest I could find.

Sherry

Here is a link that might be useful: Ecom Office Supplies

I have about 180 roses and use the Harlane labels - the stakes are sturdy and the labels are attractive, and both are quite inexpensive. Like Hoovb, they really aren't for me, but for visitors. I know where every one is and what their names are (partly because I love them all and partly because I go through each of them mentally if I'm having trouble going to sleep or when I'm in the dentist chair - makes a great mantra! Beats counting sheep!).

Here is a link that might be useful: Harlane labels

everyrose, I did spray paint the Paw Paw labels black. It wasn't that hard. I was actually in the middle of a bathroom remodel and spray painted my wastbasket, towel and TP holder as well. Went from shiny chrome to what is supposed to look like darkish copper (saved lots of $$$). Like you I'm allergic to anything crafty, but I was surprised how good everything came out. Just don't do it on a windy day (like I did) Here's a pic of my labels.I did go a bit too fancy, I might re-do the labels so they are easier to read:

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Buford-- Great minds think alike! Thats exactly what I was considering. I was even thinking about using gold lettering. I agree that its a bit too fancy--although Martha would like it. I find that often times when you are reading labels, you are standing in bright sunlight with the sun in your eyes and looking into the shadows under the rose where the label is. So high contrast and an easy to read font is important.

I use the same kind of labels that markiz and buford pictured but use a paint pen to write the names. We have about 220 roses and as many others have mentioned, the names are all in my head. My husband and I were trying to map out the gardens on paper and I did it all while sitting in the kitchen - but PEOPLE'S names - that's a different story!