Shrub roots

Zone 8a, hard clay, sloped area away from house and towards the front area, full sun. New to us house, built 2022 and we bought May 2023.

I’m planning the areas against my house and thinking about putting native shrubs as the layer closest to the house to shade the crawl space in the summer, create heat barrier in the winter and provide habitat so our indoor cats can have some viewing entertainment. I don’t want to plant them too close and eventually have roots affect the foundation.

Is there a general rule concerning how far out shrub roots grow? NC has a ton of tall native shrubs that would be great between the windows for that additional summer shade.

I’ve been searching for a while and read the root section in Sustainable Food Gardens but all I can find is information about tree roots.

when we lived in town years ago I remember our shrubs were far enough away from the house that I could walk behind them, between the shrubs and the house.

My guess would be about 24 inches or more.

Anne Miller wrote:when we lived in town years ago I remember our shrubs were far enough away from the house that I could walk behind them, between the shrubs and the house.

My guess would be about 24 inches or more.

100% I was thinking the 4-6 ft radius ones would be good at the 2ft range. I really want a few for the ends that are like 10ft tall/12ft wide like the Winterberry which is causing my hesitation lol