I just moved out to Oklahoma which is quite exciting! I've only been here since December so I'm not sure what to expect during the growing season. The soil is a bit acidic, which I'm used too. I know the heat is quite a bit more intense. I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations? For instance should I stick with early bloomers so the blooms aren't all scorched? Are there any issues I should be aware of?

I live in 7a and I've never had any problem with scorching. But I think we get a lot more rain than does Oklahoma.

Stout Gardens are in Oklahoma and he sells a wide variety of iris and daylillies. You could give them a call and ask if they have any issues with late blooming iris. I think many iris do better with heat than with rain and humidity.

Leslie, You're right about that! With the rainy springs and summers we've been having, we have problems with leaf spot, and that can lead to rhizome rot. So Oklahoma is probably better on that score.

Hmmm humidity might be an issue then. I moved to the very eastern edge near the border of Arkansas. The average rainfall is the same as where I lived in Washington 47 inches on average

Thanks Leslie I'll check out stouts gardens.

So I'm betting leaf spot will be a thing. I've dealt with that in Washington but it never seemed to get to bad.

I wonder if rot is going to be an issue. So far the winters been fairly wet and I've been told spring usually is as well, then Summers are really dry and hot.

Rebekah said:Hmmm humidity might be an issue then. I moved to the very eastern edge near the border of Arkansas. The average rainfall is the same as where I lived in Washington 47 inches on average

Thanks Leslie I'll check out stouts gardens.

So I'm betting leaf spot will be a thing. I've dealt with that in Washington but it never seemed to get to bad.

I wonder if rot is going to be an issue. So far the winters been fairly wet and I've been told spring usually is as well, then Summers are really dry and hot.

I am from Oklahoma although I live in the Colorado mountains now. Irises do great there with no known disadvantages. The sun does get hot there but never have I known my irises to scorch as long as they are watered. Mid season is probably best just because early buds have been known to get hit with a late spring freeze. My daffodils and hydrangeas and lilacs come to mind. You will find that your irises will do fine with just a little more attention to drainage ( clay soil) and watering .

I am in Zone 7a and have never had any issues growing irises and having them get scorched. I agree with Leslie. You might try them out.

. Found these out in the neighbors pasture along my driveway

One other thing you might do is plant the rhizome a tad deeper than normal if heat or scorching become a factor. There was a hybridizer that moved to Oregon that was from Oklahoma and i thought this was an issue. Maybe I am remembering it wrong. Either way, deeper could be a benefit to heat/scorch.

If you tour Bluebird Haven Iris Garden in April or May, you won't see any bare rhizomes.