I have a few questions:
It’s very clear in the videos what needs to be done, but it pains me to do it!

[..]couple of odorata.  [...]
John

During earlier discussions about plant tags that will hold up over time, I had mentioned I was starting to use a Dymo Rhino M1011 metal tape embosser to make labels for plants.  I have been pretty much satisfied with the performance of this tool.  I have tried both aluminum & stainless steel tapes and both seem to work well.  The aluminum is softer and easier to emprint and I suspect it may cause less wear on the embosser wheel but I tend to prefer the stainless.  However, the other weak links then pop to the forefront.   

The stakes have been a weak link.  Bamboo only last a couple of months here.  Hardwood stakes seem better but are more expensive and are still far from permanent.  I thought about using rebar but that would get more expensive & would be a pain in the rump to cut -- and how would you fasten the tags to it?  That brings up the other weak link, the fastener.  I tried light gauge coated wire but it seems to fatigue with our frequent breeze & breaks.  Strings / twines (either natural or synthetic) don't seem to hold up too long either.

So I am going to be trying the possible solution pictured below.  I have fabricated stakes out of 1/2" PVC pipe with one end cut at a 45.  I drill small pilot holes and use a #4 sheet metal screw to afix the metal plant tag (this works with the hole the Rhino punches).  We have nice soil (in this area) so I expect that they will drive in fine with a mallet or light sledge.  I picked up a couple of 1/2' pipe caps to use to protect the ends while driving these in (we'll see how that works -- I suspect the caps may be more brittle and not work out for this).  This seems like it should be fairly economical (I get 6 stakes out of a pipe that costs $2.45).  I expect to try some out this weekend & will get back with an initial report.

John