Gardeners frequently ask the right question. How far apart do I plant these? Unfortunately they usually don't want the answer to that question. What they really want to know is: How close can I plant these?

If you're confused, read on. I have spent a lifetime planting perennials and shrubs too close together. That makes the pick, the shovel and a log chain gardening tools at my place. I'm not too worried about annuals because, mercifully, frost will intervene before jungle conditions set in.

About twelve years ago when I moved to a new house I selected eight plants to anchor the front door. I picked two of the tall skinny bluish junipers, four of the not too tall not two short green junipers, and two tall ornamental grasses.

It looked pretty good, even a bit sparse for several years, but about year seven the grasses were removed. At year, maybe nine, it was decided that it would be really better if two of the green junipers left. The other two green ones left last summer and the two tall ones recently spotted the log chain on the tractor.

I confess the decision on the last two was greatly helped by the snow load last winter, which gave them a different look. Anyway I'm back to ground zero. Maybe twelve years isn't a bad life span for that part on the landscape that grows from your knees to just over the top of your head. Probably I could have done better.

Also in the last several days I was pulling weeds. When I finished that I started pulling flowers. Some perennials will run wild if left alone. I rescued some oriental lilies from the black eyed susans. Seems in my garden there are lots of plants that need rescued from the black eyed susans.

I love the plant but it will take over. I wonder what it would do with fertilizer, water and good soil. My garden gets none of those. Of course I don't deadhead. I leave the seed heads for the birds and the birds seem too miss several zillion seeds.

What solutions do I offer? One is to look at enough gardens and/or ask enough questions before you plant and identify the perennials and shrubs that are tame and those that are not so tame. I'm starting to think in terms of having two types of gardens; one garden for the well behaved and one where the plants have plenty of space to roam.

Another thought would be to study the suggested spacings and use the long one with a plant in between that will be removed in a few years. Young gardens are also a great place to plug the holes with annuals.

I doubt that the statement, I am tired of planting annuals every year so I will plant perennials, is the best approach. Build the garden slowly. The alternative is to keep the log chain with the garden tools.