Concise labeling: You say 'Heuchera,' I say 'H. americana'

18 years ago

[cross-posted with "Botany"]

I'm interested in what people leave in, and what they leave out -- assuming you can't get a plant's full name on a relatively small zinc marker, and assuming you're not working for a botanic garden but simply want to communicate some basic information to yourself and others a good few years from now.

I want to keep the cultivar names, because they're descriptive and handy. The main issue is the first line with genus and species. There's no room to write names out in full. So, yes, I could write "H. americana," instead of "Heuchera americana," but it seems a shame to effectively omit the much more recognizable and meaningful genus, in favor of the species. I'd know what "H." means, but most others wouldn't. And while "americana" isn't especially crucial, because it coers most common heucheras, what about those where the species is more up-for-grabs, such as Clematis? I'm trying to strike some balance between scientific thoroughness, user-friendliness and consistency.

So what do you think:

1) "Heuchera" or "H. americana" ?

2) "Clematis" or "C. Terniflora"?

3) "Astilbe" or "A. arendsii"?

4) "Pieris" or "P. japonica"?

5) "Campanula" or "C. Portenschlagiana"?

And what the heck do I do to condense Athyrium niponicum var. pictum aka 'Ursula's Red'?!?

Yours in taxonomic gratitude,

Fred

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Comments (3)

meldy_nva
18 years ago
Since DH and neighbors are the ones who refer to the labels most often, I use the shorter or more common version such as Clematis, Astilbe, Poppy etc. followed by the variety or name such as "Pizzicato", and if there are several possible colors the label may read "Oriental Poppy ~ Pizzicato ~ Pink -2004". The precision of Latin is kept in my record books along with purchase and planting information, pictures and other information. Labels get lost, but it will take an Act of God to destroy my record books.

When your admiring neighbor asks what the plant is, are you going to answer Athyrium niponicum var. pictum or 'Ursula's Red' or Japanese painted fern? But it's your label, so write what you find most comfortable -- and remember: labels *will* get lost, especially if that is your only record of what's planted where.
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lindac
18 years ago
Since it's my garden and I know a heuchera from a clematis, I just label with the species...no need to name the genus for me, unless it's something that hides like platycoten.
Linda C
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vetivert8
18 years ago
I agree with meldy and lindac.

In the garden the labels are just memory joggers and warnings to weed carefully. The full details need to be kept away from the beaks and claws of the foragers.

About the only time I'd put on the full string is when I'm dealing with propagating and bulking up of plants in a controlled (?) environment and I Need To Know. For that I'd prefer the luxury of a piece of old venetian blind - more room for my sprawly writing!
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