Shanna,
If you are ever in Knoxville, I would highly recommend a trip to the UT Gardens (admission FREE). It highlights many of the perennials well suited for our area.

I cannot recommend roses (one of the few flowers that just doesn't do well for me), but here's a listing of just a few of the perennials found in my garden that really do well and are easy to grow:

Daylilies - - don't settle for just Stella D'Oros, there are many lovely ones to chose from and many are re-bloomers

Coneflowers

Shasta Daisies

Perennial salvias

Coreopsis

Liatris

Joe Pye Weed

Sedums - - many great fall bloomers

Dahlias

A mixture of different perennials will give you a long bloom season as well as different textures and colors.

Here is a link that might be useful: UT Gardens