Where are you located jburd? It helps to know your zone.

My central Louisiana garden die hards are:
Lantana
Mexican Heather
Daylilies (Stellas are short)
Shrimp Plant
Pentas
Spider Lilies (lycoris) for fall
Min. Gardenias
Sweet potatoe vine (may come back if winters not too harsh)
Creeping rosemary
Hostas (in the shade)
Batface (it's a cuphia that I just love)

Taller things that are favorites are
Turk's cap
Fire bush
Russian sage
Butterfly bush
Butterfly weed

I can get all of these to return if the winters in Alexandria are not too cold.

The list georgiawest1 posted is great. I would also add:
Mexican Bush Sage
Homestead Purple Verbena (May be perennial in zone 9. It often comes back for me.)
Bearded Iris