I find it very important to also use a permanent way of marking the names of my perennials. I like to know that when I go to the plant that the name will be there always. With the sheer number of perennials in my yard I could never verify the cost of buying the premade copper or aluminum markers that I have seen in Lee Valley or other mail order catalogues, and I also do not run a nursery where you need those markers for all the visitors that come through each summer. What I do is buy rolls of copper tooling (copper metal foil 40 guage weight). The rolls are 1' wide and 3' long and I used to get them at Lewiscraft here in Canada before they closed, but now I get the rolls from Stockade... Here is the US web site... https://stockade.ca/category.asp?cat=CDL&funds=US Here is the Canadian site in Ontario... https://stockade.ca/category.asp?cat=CDL&no=US&funds=CDN I cut, with regular scissors, the copper into 1/2" by 3" pieces, use a hole punch to punch a hole on the center of one side and hang them on a coat hanger that has been cut and bent into a little hook for the copper to hang on. I then tuck this label behind the plant and sink the label into the ground and rest the copper at ground level. Over time the hanger wire will rust and the copper will patina (change to a brown color) but the name is still 100% readable. Copper tooling is soft enough to write on/engrave with a pen and I have all my perennials labelled with them. They will never fade, break or have to be redone. I have never had any bird fly off with them and no dogs or cats have ever moved or bothered to touch any of them. They cost about 10 cents to make and I make lots each summer for the local farmer's market and sell them 5 for $2.00. Brenda

Very Nice, Lia. Is that one of Your stamps?

If you are considering PEX the best way to answer your questions would be to download a free copy of the PPFA (Plastic Pipe & Fitting Assoc) PEX Installation Handbook. It is a 17 page booklet that outlines all the standards for installing PEX. Here is a link to the download site. The download is in PDF format so you will need "Adobe Reader" to open the file. Most computers already have adobe reader, but if not, that is also a free download. http://www.toolbase.org/PDF/DesignGuides/PEX_Installation_Handbook_2006.pdf

Thanks again for all the wonderful positive comments! The copper roll I used was not heavy duty like you might use in roofing. It was about 36 gauge. Considered copper tooling foil. Was able to cut with Fiskars kitchen shears without difficulty. The roll I found had paper on the back to peel off. Not sure what it was originally to be used for, but was evident the roll was old because the tack was gone on the adhesive. You could probably use the roofing copper, but think the gauge is heavier, might need to use tin snips to cut it and I don't know how well it would emboss. I used Clear Liquid Nails for hobbies to adhere the leaves to the ball. The link provided has the best prices on the web for this stuff. Also use it in my stained glass art. Pam Here is a link that might be useful: Copper tooling foil