Labels

[Tim Ingram]

We have always had problems labelling plants in the garden over the long term. These metal labels, which came from LBS many years ago, have been amongst the best, and following advice from Beth Chatto in one of her books we used Rotring etching ink to write the names. They lasted very well, but the Rotring pens rapidly clogged up and stopped working!
Pencil is good but much less visible in a garden regularly open to the public.

At Christmas we were given porcelain plates by our daughters with designs drawn with Porcelain Pens and baked onto the plates at 160°C in the oven. These seemed perfect for writing on metal labels too - as shown here. The problem is these labels no longer appear to be available. Does anyone know of anything similar? Hopefully these labels will last indefinitely in the garden, unlike plastic labels which get trodden on, perish, and on occasion are nibbled by varmints!

[Maggi Young]

Have I got the right end of this - You need labels which are capable of being baked in the oven to "cure " the painted names?
That might be trickey, even if 160 degrees C is not that hot.......

( Sounds like your girls gave you really super presents - home made is SOOOOOOOO  lovely   )

[Tim Ingram]

That's right Maggi - these are very rigid and well made metal labels and were quite expensive. I expect this may have meant there was little demand for them, but it would be great if something similar is still available. We were given a couple of mugs too but the girls still have no great interest in the garden - I think because this is something you like to make of your own.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Have you looked here http://www.wellsandwinter.co.uk/?

[Neil]

Tim
Have you tried a local metal fabricator, who would make them to your specification.

[Tim Ingram]

Dear John and Neil - many thanks. I have seen the Wells and Winters list but forgotten about this, but the idea of getting some fabricated locally had not crossed my mind - a good option.

[kindredspiritkevin]

A local printer makes me laser engraved plastic ones. (Black surface, laser engraved through, which produces white writing.) I then stick them onto lengths of copper micro-bore pipe with glue.

Must take a pic on Saturday and post it here.

[Maggi Young]

copper pipe ? For plant label holders? Crumbs, Kevin, you must be made of money - can you lend me a fiver? 

[kindredspiritkevin]

I got a whole roll of it cheap a long time ago. It's coming in useful now.  

[Maggi Young]

I got a whole roll of it cheap a long time ago. It's coming in useful now.  

 Well done -  have you got any Scots blood? 

[fermi de Sousa]

Well done -  have you got any Scots blood? 

Do they sell that by the Litre?
 
cheers
fermi

[Tim Ingram]

A good friend who has a wonderful collection of woody plants a well as perennials uses strong black labels and 'silver' ink and also metal labels attached to shrubs and trees. I'm not sure how well the former last but the fact that his garden is so well labelled is incredibly valuable for the visitor. This has always been a failing of our garden - we have good planting plans but otherwise rely on memory when visitors ask about plants which they usually do about something in a far flung part of the garden when lots of other people are also demanding attention! The problem is labelling the garden well and reasonably permanently whilst at the same time economically. Collecting snowdrops, and even more selling them accurately named, has focussed my mind more on this! (Of course galanthophiles don't need labels, they recognise them all from fifty paces!).

[latestart]

I copy any information I want including photos using Word. Print them off them laminate them.  The labels last much longer than any other method I have tried. To keep the size as small as possible I have the photo on one side the info on the reverse. I stick them in pots but there is no reason why they could not be used hung from the plant.

[RichardW]

We started to label trees & shrubs using a metal tag system many years ago but gave up when so many went missing.

I'm still using black labels & ink pens for snowdrops which I've found to be the best in terms of them blending in, they're only out in the garden for 3-4 weeks so I'm able to re use most for many years before they need doing again, down side is the paint pens don't seem to last long even if I try to keep them sealed up.

[Maggi Young]

I copy any information I want including photos using Word. Print them off them laminate them.  The labels last much longer than any other method I have tried. To keep the size as small as possible I have the photo on one side the info on the reverse. I stick them in pots but there is no reason why they could not be used hung from the plant.

That's a new idea!   How long have you had such labels survive?
It brings to mind a notice I had on a side gate which I double laminated because it was going to be used for a long time -  it got left in situ ( there's a lot of idleness around here) and survived for several years - which I think was pretty amazing ( on all counts.... !)