I grow tassel fern, tatting fern, ghost fern, Japanese painted fern, autumn fern, and male fern. I don't care for the autumn fern, although that is the most popular one here. My male fern and ghost fern grew pretty quickly so in the short term they were my favorites but now I like my 10+ year old Japanese painted ferns the best. I live in metro Atlanta, so further north than you, but all of these are probably hardy in your zone. Good luck!

the japanese painted fern returns each year for me in lee county; not sure about that in jefferson county. it stays small in height and spreads laterally to form nice clumps. another one that i grow is known by several common names such as southern wood fern, southern shield fern and abundant maiden fern. it grows with fronds that are a foot wide and over three feet tall, making an impressive clump. i did not plant it but rather it just showed up so this one is likely to spread about. it dies back in winter and returns in spring. can take dry shade or more sun with sufficient water. more information here abundant maiden fern

both of these perform well with little attention from me.