Easy-Grow Perennial Plants with Shallow Roots

type

status

date

slug

summary

1. What are Shallow-Rooted Perennials?

Shallow-rooted perennials are plants whose roots cannot go deep into the soil. These plants have only fibrous roots but no tap roots. So, these plants thrive in shallow soil. The roots of perennial plants with shallow roots can expand all around and cover a wide range of soil.

1.1 Adaptability

The main pro of shallow-rooted plants is their strong adaptability. A shallow root system allows these plants to grow in different soil types. Whether it is sandy soil or clay, these roots can look for nutrients and water in the upper layer of the soil.

So. plants with shallow roots aren't as picky as the ones with deep roots when it comes to growing conditions.

1.2 Soil Health

Shallow root plants' root system will form a net structure in the growth process. Plants grow and bloom better when they have the support of the roots beneath them.

For the soil this root net can protect the soil from erosion. Also, the roots of these plants don't go so deep, which helps the soil surface retain nutrients for an extended period.

1.3 Drought Tolerance

Shallow-rooted plants are drought-tolerant plants. They can quickly get moisture from the surface. They do not have high requirements for deep soil moisture.

So whenever it enters the rainy season, I stop watering these plants.

1.4 Popular Varieties

Astilbe

Astilbe's shallow root system can adapt to acidic and neutral soils.

Botanical Name: Astilbe spp.

Plant Type: Perennial, rhizome

Mature Size: 6-24 in. tall, 6-60 in. wide

Sun Exposure: Partial, full

Soil Type: Loamy, moist

Soil pH: Acidic, neutral

Bloom Period: Spring, summer

Flower Color: Pink, red, purple, white

Hardiness Zones: 3-8 (USDA)

Native Area: Asia, North America

Creeping Jenny

Crawling Jenny's shallow roots can spread rapidly in soils under various conditions.

Botanical Name: Lysimachia nummularia

Plant Type: Evergreen ground cover

Mature Size: 2-4 in. tall, 12-18 in. wide

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Soil Type: Well-draining sandy, loamy, or clay

Soil pH: Acid, alkaline, neutral

Bloom Period: Summer

Flower Color: Yellow

Hardiness Zones: 4-9 (USDA)

Native Area: Asia, North America

Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)

Daylily is one of the flower varieties with the lowest maintenance cost among shallow root plants.

Botanical Name: Hemerocallis spp.

Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial

Mature Size: 9-12 in. tall, 10-12 in. wide

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Soil Type: Moist, well-drained

Soil pH: Acid, alkaline, neutral

Bloom Period: Spring, summer

Flower Color: Golden yellow

Hardiness Zones: 3-10 (USDA)

Native Area: Cultivar, no native range

Sedum

Sedum is an excellent cover ground plant. It has succulent green foliage and blooms clusters of star-shaped flowers.

Botanical Name: Sedum spp.

Plant Type: Perennial

Mature Size: 6–24 in. tall, 12–24 in. wide

Sun Exposure: Full, partial

Soil Type: Sandy, loamy, well-drained

Soil pH: Acidic, neutral

Bloom Period: Summer, fall

Flower Color: Red, pink, yellow, white

Hardiness Zones: 3–10 (USDA)

Native Area: North America, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia, Africa

Coreopsis

There are many varieties of Coreopsis. It is very suitable for planting at the edge of the garden.

Botanical Name: Coreopsis spp.

Plant Type: Perennial, biennial

Mature Size: 2–4 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide

Sun Exposure: Full

Soil Type: Sandy, well-drained

Soil pH: Neutral, acidic

Bloom Period: Summer, fall

Flower Color: Red, orange, yellow, pink, white

Hardiness Zones: 2–11 (USDA)

Native Area: North America, Central America, South America

Yarrow

Yarrow's shallow roots are well adapted to dry or sandy soil.

Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium

Plant Type: Perennial

Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide

Sun Exposure: Full

Soil Type: Sandy, loamy, clay, well-drained

Soil pH: Neutral

Bloom Period: Summer, fall

Flower Color: White, yellow, pink, red, purple, orange

Hardiness Zones: 3-9 (USDA)

Native Area: Asia, Europe, North America

Coral Bells

The shallow roots of Coral Bells make them suitable for planting near trees or shrubs. This combo can have a visual impact on people.

Botanical Name: Heuchera spp.

Plant Type: Perennial

Mature Size: 8–18 in. tall, 12–24 in. wide

Sun Exposure: Full, partial

Soil Type: Rich, moist but well-drained

Soil pH: Acidic, neutral

Bloom Period: Spring, summer

Flower Color: Red, white, pink, orange

Hardiness Zones: 4a–9a (USDA)

Native Area: North America

2. Planting and Care Tips

We talked about shallow-rooted perennials, the popular choice, and their growth habit. Next, I would like to explore how to grow and care for these shallow-rooted perennials.

When planting these plants, we will consider some reasons, such as soil, planting methods, watering, sunshine, etc. So, I will make a detailed planting plan for different varieties before planting.

2.1 Soil

Shallow-rooted plants thrive in soils that are well-drained, loose, and rich in organic matter.

Loose soil allows air to pass through quickly and is not waterlogged. Having soil that drains well can stop too much water from building up around the roots, which avoids root rot for plants. As a result, shallow-rooted plants can easily stretch their roots in loose soil.

Plants with shallow roots can get the nutrients they need from soil with plenty of organic matter. Using organic matter in soil can help keep it moist, improve its structure, and promote the growth of microbes. Soil with a lot of organic matter is great for shallow-rooted perennials.

Shallow-rooted plants prefer soils with low to neutral acidity (about 6.0 to 7.0). Testing the pH of the soil is a vital task before planting.

3.2 Planting method

When I plant shallow-rooted perennials, the first rule is to ensure the roots have enough space to grow. This way, my plants will be able to grow healthy and strong. Here are some practical planting techniques:

Dig a hole wider than the plant's root but not deeper.

Loosen roots if roots are crowded.

Shallow buried and shallow planting. When planting the plant, ensure the top of the root is level with the surrounding soil surface.

Fill the hole with soil and press gently, but do not press the soil hard.

After planting, make sure to give the shallow-rooted plants a good watering, which will help stabilize the soil around the roots and provide enough water to keep them healthy.

Cover the plant with mulch. Mulch helps keep the soil moist and stops those pesky weeds from growing all over the place. Plus, it's great for protecting those shallow roots from changes in the weather.

Try using 10-10-10 fertilizers and keep an eye out for any abnormal situation.

3.3 Water

When it comes to watering plants, remember that less is more. Overwatering can do more harm than good, so water them moderately.

I need to make sure that the soil is moist, not waterlogged. So basically, I water the plants when the soil gets a bit dry. That's the best time to do it.

Water makes plants' roots solid and elastic. I regularly check how much water is in the soil and adjust the watering based on the climate, soil type, and type of plant. This aims to help ensure the plants get the water they need.

3.4 Sunlight

To have a successful garden, I care for each type of plant uniquely.

Some shallow-rooted plants need all-day light, such as Yarrow and Coreopsis. Some shallow-rooted plants, such as Sedum and Astilbe, need partial shade.

I will study the specific needs of each variety in terms of sunshine. Provide personalized daily care for these plants. Meet the unique needs of plants to maximize their growth potential.

3.5 Pruning

Pruning time: after the shallow-rooted perennials bloom.

First, before pruning, I check whether the plant has dead, damaged, or sick stems. I will prune these stems that are not good for plant growth. I select the hard pruning method if most stems have been dead, injured, or sick.

Second, remove any stems growing inwards or crossing each other, making for better air circulation. And let more sunlight through the crown of the plants.

Finally, cut off the withered flowers.

Tips: Avoid over-pruning. Especially in the growing season, over-pruning can put a lot of pressure on the roots of plants.

3.6 Common Pests and Diseases

Pests	Diseases
aphids	powdery mildew
whiteflies	leaf spot
spider mites	root rot
slugs and snails	bacterial wilt
ㅤ	viral diseases

Prevention is always better than cure. I will never forget the principle when facing the problem of diseases and pests.

Pests

Spraying insecticidal soap or neem oil is a good choice for wiping out pests.

Fungal diseases

Powdery mildew, leaf spot, and root rot are all fungal diseases. Shallow root plants are prone to fungal diseases. These diseases breed in moist and poorly drained soils.

Preventing fungal diseases is vital. To do so, avoid watering plants from above, make sure air circulates well around them, and increase the space between them.

Bacterial diseases

Leaf spot and bacterial wilt are both bacterial diseases. This kind of disease can also affect shallow-rooted plants. Keeping the environment clean and tidy is the best way to prevent these diseases.

Viral diseases

Viral diseases can cause stop growth, leaf discoloration, and other problems in shallow-rooted plants. It is important to note that once a plant is infected with a viral disease, no cure is available to treat it.

Therefore, I prevent infected plants from entering my garden and control vectors such as aphids that can spread the virus.

4. Landscaping

Rock Gardens

Use shallow-rooted plants such as sedum, thyme, and wheatgrass to create a fantastic rock garden. Sedum can not only grow to 24 inches tall, but most importantly, it also attracts butterflies. Combine various textures, colors, and sizes to add visual interest to the landscape.

Raised Beds

Build raised beds filled with well-drained soil mixtures for growing shallow-rooted plants such as herbs, annuals, and perennials. Raised beds provide good drainage and allow better root growth, making them ideal for shallow-rooted plants.

Ground Covers

Use shallow root cover plants to create a lush green space to inhibit weeds and prevent soil erosion. Plants like creeping jenny, creeping thyme, and leadwort are good ground cover options in sunny or shady areas. Creeping thyme will attract pollinators early in the spring. From the late summer to the first frost, we can enjoy the blue flowers of leadwort.

Container Gardening

You can add color and interest by planting plants with shallow roots in containers and potted plants if you have a small outdoor space like a balcony or courtyard. Choose a compact variety of perennials, annuals, and herbs that thrive in containers with minimal maintenance.

Edging and Borders

Use shallow-rooted plants to edge flower beds, paths, and boundaries, define and frame garden space, and increase visual appeal. Low plants such as lavender, white star stokesia, and ornamental grass create a neat boundary. Meanwhile, white star stokesia's white star-shaped flowers and purple lavender form an eye-catching color difference.

5. Conclusion

Our exploration of shallow-rooted perennials is coming to an end. But our passion did not end there. Let's embrace the beauty shown by these shallow-rooted plants. We only need to care for them; they can give all they have for our garden.

Bibliography:
Shallow roots of different crops have greater water uptake rates per unit length than deep roots in well-watered soil Müllers, Y., Postma, J.A., Poorter, H. et al. Shallow roots of different crops have greater water uptake rates per unit length than deep roots in well-watered soil. Plant Soil 481, 475–493 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-022-05650-8
Effect of deep and shallow root systems on the dynamics of soil inorganic N during 3-year crop rotations, Thorup-Kristensen, K. Effect of deep and shallow root systems on the dynamics of soil inorganic N during 3-year crop rotations. Plant Soil 288, 233–248 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-006-9110-7
Shallow-soil endemics: adaptive advantages and constraints of a specialized root-system morphology, Pieter Poot, Hans Lambers, First published: 24 January 2008, Citations: 86, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2007.02370.x
Active microbial biomass decreases, but microbial growth potential remains similar across soil depth profiles under deeply-vs. shallow-rooted plants, Kyungjin Min, Eric Slessarev, Megan Kan, Karis McFarlane, Eri Oerter, Jennifer Pett-Ridge, Erin Nuccio, Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343, USA, Received 29 March 2021, Revised 20 August 2021, Accepted 23 August 2021, Available online 31 August 2021, Version of Record 4 September 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108401
Climate, vegetation, and soil controls on hydraulic redistribution in shallow tree roots, Kailiang Yu, Paolo D’Odorico, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA, Received 10 October 2013, Revised 26 January 2014, Accepted 11 February 2014, Available online 19 February 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2014.02.003

My name is Arthur Mo. I am a gardener who loves gardening so much. I graduated from Ocean University of China. After I returned to Japan, I began to learn how to cultivate hydrangeas and daisies. Mr. Mitsuhiro (my master) taught me to sow, cut, fertilize, and manage diseases and pests. For nine years, I have been sharpening my planting skills. In 2022, my family and I moved to Florida. The warm climate of Florida gives me the impulse to continue cultivating hydrangeas and daisies. I began my gardening trip in my backyard and unswervingly contributed my efforts to these plants. I love these plants deeply, and at the same time, I also thank my family, my master, and friends for their understanding and support.