Cut aluminum cans apart and scratch the name on them a rectangular piece. Make a hole and attach with wire to a lower branch. The writing never fades unlike writing on pen.

Lance

Good grief! What a TERRIFIC idea! And dirt cheap, too.

You're a genius!

Jeri

I use these.

I print the tags with a Brother P Touch Label printer and TZ style UV resistant tapes. They're all stainless steel with heavy wire stakes and they don't rust. I use the longer type so I have the name up closer and easier to read.

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

We use slats from blinds - metal is preferred . If you use a soft pencil , the writing lasts a long time .

I get my label cartridges from Amazon.com. They're all the same from where ever you buy them so I Google them and buy based on price. I use the 1" wide black on white. The TZ type is laminated and UV resistant. It holds up well outdoors and doesn't fade.

If you use a thin aluminum & press hard with a soft or broad lead pencil, you'll get an "embossed" label that lasts forever.

No matter what type of tag(s) that you use, I recommend a back up map. I use one tag on the plant and one in the ground in front of the plant. Over the years I still had to go to my map a number of times. At first it was due to fading, but later when that problem was solved, it was due to animals/birds removing the tags.

I missed that request.
I used the tags that come with them or made my own if I used any. With only one usable hand, it's difficult to move them when the canes they're attached to has to be removed.
I just use the long stainless steel marker.

thanks so much for all the great ideas, you guys! I'm definitely going to make a separate database and map based on ya'lls recommendations.

but are there any tags (or something similar) that can attach to the rose itself?
Maybe I shouldn't worry about it too much, we don't have any dogs and our neighbors dont have any loose dogs.
I like these a lot, even though the can idea is awesome:
http://kincaidgardens.com/

Aimee, those are the ones that Karl posted and stick in the ground, you don't attach them to the plant.

yeah, that's what I mean, are there ones that attach to the plant instead?

Yes!!!! I called my local nursery and asked the if they had tags like are hung around trees and they said they did. Asked how many I needed and told me to come pick them up. blanks and I used paint marker to mark with. I used them for peonies and roses. If you want to go really cheap save your milk jugs and cut strips from them and use paint markers. You can also cut up coat hangers and make into U and push these into ground with your cut milk jug strips. Just some thoughts. Pembroke