Flowers With Shallow Roots in Florida

• Begonias are an attractive, shallow-rooted annual for Florida gardens. Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images

  Many types of annual and perennial flowers in Florida have shallow root systems, and can be grown in containers or in Florida's sandy loam. The University of Florida recommends cultivating flower beds to a depth of 10 to 12 inches and amending soil with peat and organic compost to add nutrients. Shallow roots need good drainage, or they can be quickly overcome by too much water. Select from a mix of bulb, rhizome and thin-rooted plants to have blooms coming and going in your garden all year.

Annuals with Shallow Roots

• Try impatiens, geraniums and tender begonias and petunias for fall, winter and spring in Florida. Notice how shallow the root systems are as you transfer them from flats to your garden. None of these plants will root deeper than 4 inches. Geraniums and begonias may last year-round if they get plenty of water, but summers may be too warm for the others. Zinnia, marigold, alyssum, flowering tobacco and babies' breath, along with carnations can add an extra pop of color, growing at heights of 2 inches for alyssum to 2 feet for flowering tobacco and a few species of the larger zinnias.

Perennials with Shallow Roots

• Try African iris and African lily for tall, but shallow rooting clumps of blooms. African iris has thick rhizomes near the surface, with small spider roots to anchor it. Arfican lily has a bulb with a similar structure. Plant lantana, blue sage Gerbera daisy and hardy begonia for ground cover that lasts through summer, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.

Wildflowers with Shallow Roots

• Go native with a few species of perennial Florida wildflowers. Beaked butterfly pea will twine and climb in full sun or partial shade, survive in moist soils and does not develop deep roots. Blue-eyed grass grows in clumps, with small purple flowers and blade-like leaves. Black-eyed Susan, gayfeather and Indian blanket fill out a range of heights from 6 to 24 inches. Like all of the plants on this list, they can be easily propagated by digging out and dividing their shallow, clumping roots.