Heidi, I like the clear plastic knives idea. Have you had any problem with them acting like a magnifying glass and concentrating the sun onto the plant causing a burn? I can get them pretty cheap at Costco. I think it might be better if they were white.
Frank, Those are really good! They would hold up against everything: as good as metal, but a bit cheaper. How long before you have to replace the tags on them?
Mini blinds are OK, but if they are made of aluminum, do not place them too near the base of the plant. Aluminum is poisonous to plants, and over time it will leach into the soil.
I used to use the standard plastic labels in large size: 3" x 4" writing part and 8" long. I could not only put the name of the plant on it, but all sorts of other info too. They hold up for a few years, but after three years they become brittle and crack off easily. I've gone to heavy plastic stakes that are 6" or 8" long. They get brittle after four years, but less likely to get broken off by clumsy me.
I have used a myriad of different markers. I used to use the Sharpie permanent marker, which may be permanent indoors, but outside---Not. The best I have found is: DecoColor Opaque paint market, Fine Line Black. The writing starts to fade after a few years, but stays legible for at least five years. I get them at: A C Moore
Never get the markers made of wood. They rot to compost in two years.
