History of the IDeal™ Garden Marker

Experienced inventor, Tom Carlson, owner of IDeal™ Garden Markers and HostasDirect, Inc., never found a garden marker he liked in his 44+ years of gardening. He set his mind on completely meeting his needs and other gardeners' needs with a new plant identification marker design.

Over 1,300 HostasDirect, Inc. newsletter readers told us about their garden marker needs and past frustrations. They've had garden markers fall apart, rust, spin or come out of the ground, be difficult to write on or too small for information, trap debris between two wires, get bent by hoses, and create an eyesore in the garden.

Tom, an owner of four other patents, decided on several lengths, bends, colors and nameplate sizes with the help of the survey results. Two outstanding mechanical engineers and manufacturers were hired to create the best fit between the stainless steel stake and the nameplate. After many adjustments, the best garden marker ever was born!

Survey responders told us that they wanted a one-stop shop for plant identification needs, so in addition to the IDeal&trade Garden Markers, we offer paint pens, online design software for printed labels and online design software for engravings. Gardeners do not have to experiment with different products from several vendors that may or may not perform well together.