Debra @lovemyhouse has a computer picture map that is awesome. Maybe she can post one of her old ones. I think Rob has some too. I don't remember the name of the thread, but in the winter some members were posting maps and the rest of us would try to identify what Iris was where in the map. Something like that would work really well too.

I am going to take pictures for certain, but I may also make sketched out areas where I know I planted irises. Something that doesn't cost me too much to do! Well, at least until I can get printed labels that don't wear out.
If someone has something like that, I'd love to see that. It sounds cool!

Yes, I have photo maps, written maps and maps on the computer...as well as plant tags.

Monty, I cut up vinyl mini-blinds and use a #2 pencil for labels. The older blinds have thicker, more durable materials, but even a $2 new set works just fine.

HI, BARBARA!!! {{WAVING}}

What Barbara is talking about is when I am planning out new areas. I take a picture of a bed; put in Microsoft Publisher as the background; then overlay images of different Irises and rearrange the images until I get a plan I like. Sometimes, I label the images with names. Sometimes, I use initials and have a separate key. The efficient part of keeping a copy of the 'map' in Publisher, as well as making a JPG image is that, as the bed changes (one dies, the squirrels carry one off, aliens come for lunch...you know, normal stuff ) it is easy to update.

Samples:

Bare // With images and initials

I advise the cheap vinyl blinds for a quick reference for markers. I use a pencil then go over it with a paint pen so if the paint wears off, the pencil is still there. When I get time and money, I replace them with the metal markers and just got a new Brothers label maker for my birthday.
I am not computer savvy enough to do the computer model but keep paper maps of my iris beds.

That sounds awesome, Rob. Double certain your iris IDs!

Debra - That is really awesome and brilliant. I may simplify my images if I choose to do so and can figure out how to do that, but what you've done is an awesome way to keep track of IDs and it might not cost so much to stay up to date on IDs.
Like Janie said, I am also not very tech savvy, but I'll see what I might can do!

Janie - For the blinds, I may have to try that out as well at some point. I suppose permanent marker wears off too quickly, perhaps?
My main ideal is finding something that doesn't fade and doesn't wear out (as in falling apart).
Hopefully, I can find some sort of job soon whereas I can do some more work and help myself in this way.

For now, photo-ID it is!

Monty IBs will grow much faster than TBs so if they re planted closer together they will grow into each other if too close together. I recommend more space between them.

monty, you might contact a " blind" installation company in your area, and ask if you might have their discards or broken blind pieces, then you might be able to cut them up and shape them to your needs? just a thought?

Or you can check Craigslist for free materials to make plant tags with.

Here's an example of my photo map beds. (This map is not up to date)

Lucy - If that's the case, my IBs will be divided and replanted or shared! I actually HOPE they do that. All of mine are really, really pretty.

Daphne - I may have to do just that. That is a great idea, but I will have to figure out names of blind company installers to see what they have discarded. Gee, that's a sentence I never thought I'd say!

Rob - That's another good idea. Craigslist might have a bunch of extra free junk for me to use for labeling plants. I really like your photo ID sheet as well! I'm going to have to take in some of these ideas and translate them into helping myself remember where I planted what.

Thanks, everyone!

Good ideas all around from everyone. I'm a fanatic when it comes to iris ID. It gets a little troubling if a marker comes up missing. This sometimes happens if an animal (raccoons, opossums, squirrels) get into a garden and accidentally drag one out. So if possible I try to get some pictures of the plants & labels for identity. Or at least get an idea where a certain plant is located in what row & what it's next to. This works for me since I roto-till the larger gardens. This might not appeal to everyone depending on personal preference. I try to take several pictures during bloom time & re-planting simply as a "back-up" source for ID.

These are all SDB's/MDB's and they are all tucked in for winter.
Photo is from late July 2018.


These were re-plants from 2017 blooming in 2018.
Three more rows were planted in July at far right.


This row of seedlings would be a mess without markers & (or photos).


SDB's are notorius for fast growth & growing into each other.
I have lost ID of several when they do this with no tag. As Lucy stated
above IB's do this fairly rapid.


Time to dig, divide & re-plant.

Leon, thank you very much for this insightful post.
I am very much looking forward to my MDB and my SDBs blooming and prospering. I really do not mind an iris that is prolific. I want that. I want my yard blooming with as much as I can, so if it is floriferous, that is certainly fine by me. That means more transplants and more trades!

Those images show really how tiny MDBs and SDBs are. I sure hope mine do well. Thanks for that awesome post, Leon!

Leon, your beds and healthy beautiful irises always leave me speechless.

Thank you for the acorn Barbara.

Your welcome Rob.

I agree with you on Leon's beds.

for leon's beds!

Leon's beds are very impressive.

Me 5!!!

Leon ~ You do have beautiful iris beds!

Thank you for the acorn Evelyn.

You have a good system for making colorful maps.

janielouy said:I advise the cheap vinyl blinds for a quick reference for markers. I use a pencil then go over it with a paint pen so if the paint wears off, the pencil is still there. When I get time and money, I replace them with the metal markers and just got a new Brothers label maker for my birthday.
I am not computer savvy enough to do the computer model but keep paper maps of my iris beds.

Happy belated birthday Jane.🎈🎉🍰