Is there a proper way to label plants.I just purchased a label maker and want to mark our plants,common name or latin name first or is whatever works best ?

The Cambridge Botanical Garden says that you should use the Latin/botanical name first, then the common name, since the common name may vary.

http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/B...

David

Hi @garden07 and welcome,
A long as the Latin name and cultivar name (if any) are on the label you'll always know what you have. Beyond that it's gardeners choice.

If you can use both sides of the label, maybe put the Latin name on one side, and the common names and cultivar name on the other side.

Then, it's like a flash card. See if you can remember the hidden names. When you check your memory, stick it back in the ground facing the other way.

I agree with RickCorey - even if we use the common names in our everyday conversation, it's a good idea to get used to the botanical names. When it comes time to ask a question or offer a trade everyone will know exactly which plant is involved.

When I watch movies or television at home, I quiz myself when I see plants on the screen and holler the names out loud like I'm playing Jepoardy. (Drives my daughter nuts!)

I'm worse.... I work with plant names so when I see a tree the Latin name automatically pops into my head. Drives ME nuts. And not infrequently my DH.

Oh, I just thought of another good reason to go with the botanical names - laziness and/or lack of available space on the label.

Here is one example, you could label the plant:

"Muntingia calabura" or

"Strawberry tree, Jam tree, Cotton candy berry, Manzanil, Calabura"

So right, greene. Common names vary a lot, especially in different parts of the world. I get teased for being 'snooty' when I use botanical names, though. My daughter says 'Oh, Mum don't be such a plant snob'.

May I add that I've tried a few label makers for plant labels, and none of them hold up very long in the outdoor environment. It's really frustrating to find your lovely labels with the printing faded completely. You should try a few out in the sunshine and see how they hold up before you go labeling your whole yard.

Who's got a favorite labeling method? I'm currently using cut up strips of black plastic nursery pots, and a silver Sharpie paint pen to write on them. They're cheap and they last (as long as the squirrels or birds don't steal them).

I often use plastic knives as temporary plant markers. I drives me crazy that the squirrels pull them out!

I use boring old plastic mini-blind slats marked with a thick-lead mechanical pencil. I find that the markings last almost as long as the plastic, which eventually gets brittle. Say, around three years.

The rascally squirrels might not swap labels around if you punch a hole and tie them to the plant.

Just made a killer purchase at the thrift store.
Two boxes of brand new aluminum Impress-O-Tags Identification Marking Tags manufactured by Amekron.
Going price retail for the box of 100 is between $12 - $19 US.
I bought 2 boxes of 100 @ $5 each.

I make embossed tags out of aluminum duct tape. Over the winter I've made about 200 of them .. very easy to make:

http://garden.org/ideas/view/X...

Yes, thank you, it was because of your article that I recognized these at the thrift store. These are very similar to yours. Since I had not yet purchased the supplies to make my own by following your excellent instructions, I made the purchase at the thrift store. I will be using these on some of the plants I give away at our local swap in a few weeks.