I have six large white oaks in my yard and I live in the Willamette Valley in Oregon (lucky in every way). Oaks are allelopathic but certain plants in Oregon are adapted to grow near and under the trees. Ferns, hostas, heucheras all grow under Oak trees naturally in Oregon. The trees are very sensitive to water especially along the base and mushrooms will grow on the base of the trunk as well as the root lines if irrigated/watered heavily. It is important to keep plants a distance away so that water doesn't creep onto the tree base. The roots spread equally about 3 feet down with some deeper rooting at the center - one fell in the oak grove behind my house last winter...very unusual. It is important not to disturb these roots when planting around the tree as injured roots make the tree more susceptible to disease. I have planted Astilbe, coral bells, azalias, rhododendron, Hydrangeas, heliotypes, forsythia and hellebores, coleus and begonias in addition to plants mentioned previously, under the canopy of the oaks, but I have so many I have a larger area to plant in without disturbing the trees. I am trying Japanese Anemone, but it is poisonous so it requires more care to assure animals (dogs, cats) don't get into it. These plants do well in dappled shade under the oaks rather than total shade. I try to supplement my soil with mulch every year. I carefully cultivate by hand the 7 foot by 45 foot garden under my trees with a special rake to break up the soil, add in commercial mulch and organic soil by hand and use a drip watering system with small water lines going to the base of each plant to prevent over watering. The first year is the worst, it gets better as the soil gets more an more conditioned, especially because my soil is a bit "clay" like. Hope this was helpful.

Have you considered using a gravel binder / permeable resin on the gravel option? You would then be able to walk on, leaf blow, scrub, etc the gravel without it going anywhere. I've walked on pathways like this before at a local arboretum. It seemed suprisingly stable, and attractive. The gravel didn't look like it was coated with anything at all. Individual stones were rounded and roughly .5" / 1 cm in longest dimension. I imagine there was some kind of foundation / compacted base layer beneath rounded gravel top providing structural stability. Full disclosure, I have zero knowledge of the cost, difficulty of installation, or maintenance involved with using said product. I've only seen it used and thought it neat! With turf, I'd be concerned about the oak tannins from acorns and leaves staining it over time. This would be less noticeable, perhaps even desirable, on a darker coloured rock. UV degradation will also occur (eventually) and cause further discoloration on the turf. I feel like rock is the classier, timeless albeit likely more expensive option.

White oaks are deciduous so you do not have a canopy for protection in winter. So right, the bird's nest fern is out unless you want to cover and protect. (It's not hardy here, either, but my live oak canopy gives it protection and a higher zone allowance in winter. I just toss an old towel over it on really cold nights.) Be very careful and know which liriope you want and purchase: there is Liriope muscari (clumping) and Liriope spicata (rapidly spreading via underground rhizomes). Good luck! Carol

I am in a suburb of Atlanta, so north of you. My son lived in south Mississippi and I have many friends living in central alabama, so here is my advice for what it's worth... First, I like your yard very much as is, and any flowers you put there will be a lot more work than mowing, so if you decide to leave it as is minus any pine trees it will be very pretty. At best I would put a line of shrubs by the roadside if the road is big. Second, if you just want flowers, I'd be sure to follow yardvark's advice about bed size and shape. I have heucherella, tiarella, variegated solomon's seal, hosta, maybe some columbine left in my shade beds. Heuchera doesn't live a long time for me, although you may want to get the advice of your nearest plant nursery, not a big box store. Hosta is a plant that grows well up north, so be sure to get advice about what grows well where you live. I would be tempted to divide what already grows well there and just live with the smaller plants awhile. You can also grow plants that get dappled sunshine near the edges of your trees, like small gardenias. Keep in mind that your trees will continue to grow, so your plants that start off in dappled sunlight will eventually be in deep shade and root competition. I have ginger lily, canna lily, hydrangea. camellias, more solomon's seal, more hosta, etc. in dappled sun. Third, if you want seasonal color you can probably find sunpatiens or coleus or something to give you a splash of color around your trees. You can also nestle some pots around your trees if you like. I love the look of plantings in the ground but I've seen some potted plants very nicely done. I would advise my daughter to get big pots if she liked pots, they are easier than small ones. Fourth, you can see snakes and things a lot better under your trees with nothing under the trees, so I'd slap a tree swing on there and call it good. It is very pretty as is. You do whatever you like, though, and it will be lovely either way.