Which plants have the shallowest roots?
It is preferable to grow plants with a shallow root system that do not form thick trunks. Cistus, Box, Rhododendrons, Roses, large Lavateras (Lavatera olbiea) or Lilacs all meet these criteria. Try plants such as Thyme, Sedum, Creeping phlox or Lavender. Also, try dwarf versions of those said plants. Roses and Hydrangeas do not like shallow soil, but you can grow them in raised beds or large containers. Herbs like Thyme and groundcovers such as Sedum and Ajuga are among the best plants for shallow soil.Go Creeping: Creepers like phlox and creeping Jenny spread easily and root shallowly. Tall Isn’t Deep: Even taller plants like lavender can have shallow roots! Pick Drought-Tolerant Types: Less soil = less water retention.So there are some mid-sized plants that can have shallow roots, such as lavender and tall sedums. You can grow lavender in a shallow garden, as long as the soil drains very well.
What evergreen shrubs have shallow roots?
Boxwoods, azaleas, yew, and compact hollies are all evergreen shrubs with shallow root systems. I would also recommend rhododendrons and some varieties of azaleas that are evergreen as both have very shallow roots. Others I would recommend for this space are creeping juniper, mountain laurel (there are compact varieties available if you want small shrubs), and some dwarf varieties of arborvitae.