I have lived in cities/suburbs all of my life. I have recently moved out to the country. My fiance had a house that we were tried to sell but decided to move into it instead for the time being til we can build our own house. Our current plan is to live here a year or two and try to relist it. The house is an older house but it is well built and just needs cosmetic fixes, we are working on several projects to make the house more attractive.

There are several large trees on the lot (pines that we plan to cut down, oaks, elms, pecan and a few fruit trees in the backyard). I live in central Louisiana. The 2012 map on this site says we are zone 8b. I am use to planting full sun plants and have no experience with shade plants. I have done some research into what might grow well and it has almost become an information overload. Azaleas, gardenias, wisteria are very popular flowering plants out here that do well. We have a large pine cluster with several azaleas. We prefer blues and purples for flowers. I am unsure how acidic our soil is out here (I assume it is on the acidic side because of the pine trees). Our yard is well drained and rarely gets any standing water. There is a bit of clay in the soil. We have several clumps of monkey grass that I could spread out. I don't mind getting more of the 2 tone grass to fill in if it will do well. I am unsure what is planted under one of the trees, but guessing a lily variety. There is a pine tree with many more that I don't mind transplanting as well, if they will do well. That cluster gets a lot more sun.

I have looked into bleeding hearts because they are interesting looking and sound like they might do well. I am also interested in lungwort and hostas. I think my best bet will be to try and plant and bring in some soil and mulch to beef up the planting area at the base of the trees. I am open to all suggesting. Our closest (very small) nursery is about 40 minutes away. Those closest decent size one is about 1.5 hours away. I would usually ask around nurseries for advice however trips to town take a bit more planning now.

Sorry for posting again. My photos did not upload for some reason.

I'm not quiet sure what you are asking, since you seem to already know what you want. I'm willing to bet there are more Mom and Pop nurseries in your area than you are aware of. Is there a Grange Hall near by where you might ask someone?

There are inexpensive soil testers that will test for pH, however, you might as well send in a soil sample to have a complete idea of what your soil is like. I think the pH testers you can buy at feed stores are about 15? And the soil tests at the lab are 25 (plus shipping) I think it is worth 25 bucks to know what your soil is really like.

https://loganlabs.com/

I wouldn't be in a hurry to cut down any trees unless they pose a danger. All tree benefit from annual pruning, but for fruit trees, it is essential.

Ditto on not cutting any of those beautiful trees!

Also... I wouldn't attempt bringing in soil in a vain attempt to create planting areas in the tree root zones.

Easy to smother the trees...

Personally... I'd be looking at covering everything in a nice woodchip mulch.

You don't need that turf in your beautiful woodland garden!

Unfortunately, bleeding hearts are not a good southern garden plant.
Chinese wisteria is a tree killing thug.

Possibly you have a native wisteria... Does it bloom before it leafs out or later?

I took down the page I used to have up with a southern shade garden... But there are a ton of wonderful plants for the shade... But... NOT AGAINST the trees!
You seem to want to plant the trees's root zone... And that isn't going to work.

Personally, I'm a big fan of the Turks cap hibiscus (malvaviscus arboreus).
It rapidly covers ground, and blooms and blooms...
I've found that a ton of traditionally full sun plants will positively thrive in those areas where you have straggly looking turf... The sooner you get that stuff shaded out... The better your garden is going to look....

There are tons of spring ephemerals, like virginia bluebells and atamasco lilies, and bloodroot... And while there's definitely a place for those in a southern shade garden... You are probably going to want to plant stuff that has more of a presence like a collection of native ferns...

Ruellia elegans is another ground covering red flowered plant that I like for an area like yours...

There are just so many plants that would fill your area that I'd need to walk through one of my shade gardens to make good recommendations...

But... You first need to bring in several dump loads of mulch.... Before planting anything.

Some shade tolerant plants actually benefit from the tree's crowded root system which tends to keep the soil on the dry side - examples are cyclamens which thrive at base of trees.

Would Cyclamens do well in the South though? I thought they prefer cooler temperatures.

Good point - not sure, really. We get awfully hot & humid and they flourish for me.

I grow hardy cyclamen without difficulty.
At my previous garden, the babies came up in the brick pathway... Where the fire ants planted the seed.

Ooh. I need to look into those then.