Sharpies are pretty lasting but gradually fade. We've been using "Garden Marker" from Charley's Greenhouse & Garden (http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/) and have found them far superior to Sharpies. Yes, they eventually fade, but the stay legible much longer. My all time favorite is lead pencil on "Yucca Doohickies" (http://www.yuccado.com/). They are indestructible and stay legible forever... Really! They are a bit spendy, but you do get what you pay for. The California Horticulture Society meeting last night was excellent. It was "Underground Treasures" by Dr. Don Mahoney of the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Mary Sue and Bob R. made the trek down. This meeting had one of the largest crowds that Cal Hort has had in a while. Maybe the subject matter had something to do with it... Merrill in Palo Alto, Zone 9-10, wishing that species tulips would do better here.... pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php