Magnolias do not grow that well here. Lilacs do great, but need full sun. Forsythia also grows great here and peony. Dogwoods, redbuds are common, both work great as understory-like some shade. Smaller yard trees that alot of people plant are crab apples, purple leaf plums or cherries. Beauty Berry does good here and for shady areas azaleas. (although they will probably be 'stunted' by your definition. I went to Memphis area once and they were much larger there) Some yews and hollies like some shade. I planted some lime colored privet bushes last summer and they are doing nicely.
Daffodils do fine here as well. The soil here sometimes is more clay/rock like, but not always. You can always do a raised area or large planters, or just amend the soil as you go. Mulch goes a long way there toward helping w that.
