Hi & welcome! I'm in S AL too, in Opp.
It may not be much this year, but a mature pepper vine specimen can be ginormous. If you have a mature tree for it to climb, might be a keeper, a lovely vine in the right spot. Birds love the berries/seeds they make, but flowers probably won't "wow" you. Not something most gardeners would let loose in a small garden.
The sunflower is a true annual that will have a short life anyway, destined to pass on after it has produced some seeds. (Hope it has time to do its' thing before Jack Frost makes his first appearance this year.) Not familiar with growing Cilantro, but love the kick it gives salsa.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
