grow under a Pine tree??

What can I grow under a huge pine tree???

Check the links I posted under this thread
http://davesgarden.com/showthread/222738.html

MWSB: Just curious: did you cut your lower branches off ? Is that why you want to plant things under them? My dad in Wisconsin did that, and it looks so neat. I haven't cut mine tho, because I like the background and privacy screen mine provide.

My only two big trees are two ponderosa pines that are planted about 20 feet apart. I've been thinking of building one bed all the way around both of them, and planting shade plants underneath them and sun plants in the sunny middle. I don't want to cut off the bottom branches though, because I'm afraid the trees would lose some of their character. There's about 18 inches from the ground to the bottom branches. Is that enough room? I suppose it depends on which plants I put under there.

My first branch it about 25 feet up the tree not sure what kind of pine real tall though. i have some bishops weed there and it does well.