There is a theory that raising the soil level over the trees roots will suffocate the tree for a slow death.

Your name says cottagey - so I would suggest the salvia that isn't hardy here, it up from seeds, it will die when it freezes and come up in new places. "someone help me with the name" It grows in shade and is cottage looking. Also Snapdragons would do good.

Simplycottage, I have hugh oak trees, and have snapdragons, gerber daisies,holly ferns and diffrent gingers. I posted pictures of one of my shade gardens in February, under the threads " finally pictures" or finally some picutres, you should see these beds now. Barbra,

If you add anything on top of the soil don't use soil, but compost. That will still allow air to get to the roots of the trees. I would try not to put more than a few inches. Under my oak tree I have turk's cap, cast iron plant, tiarella (keeping fingers crossed), campernelle jonquils, winecups where there is some partial sun, and a japanese maple in a container. I have pigeonberry as a filler - love this plant!! Also, cedar sage is nice.
Debi

one thing I learned from planting under magnolia and pecans: trees are greedy. You'll need to fertilize. BUT they love the extra attention and nutrients and my beds and trees have been happier for it.

Again, I don't know how delicate Oaks are, but they should give you some acidity in the soil. I would guess plants that need little soil would be good like succulents such as sedums, hens and chicks vicks plant is lovely. Maybe you could put some shade tolerant succulents around the roots?

I'm just down the road from you in Georgetown and I am familiar with figuring out what to do with all the shady spots created by our live oak trees. They're just lucky they're such attractive trees. :-)

These plants are healthy no-brainers for me in shady spots and also provide a little color: coleus, polka-dot plant, daylilies, tiarella, hellebores, angel wing begonia and swedish ivy.

I live in Austin, and I agree with the previous posters on not adding a bunch of soil. Just put a light layer of compost down, then put in small plants. Barton Springs Nursery on Bee Caves Rd. is a great resource for small sizes of native plants. Under my Live Oaks, I have Turk's Cap, Hinckley's Columbine, Pigeonberry, Inland Sea Oats, Cedar Sage, Coral Honeysuckle (on a trellis), Pavonia, Engelmann Sage, Texas Mountain Laurel, and some other shade-loving salvias. The Texas Mountain Laurels were planted from seed!

texanjana, you are much more patient than I. How long have your Mountain Laurels been growing?

I was going to grow some from my neighbor's seeds when I first moved in here. Until I found out they take ten years from seed to bloom. So I mailed the seeds to my sister and went to the nursery. :-)

Also your post reminded me I forgot about the Turk's Cap. And simplycottage wants color. Turk's Cap really pops.