Hi Suzie,
The tall beardeds should be fine in your zone. High temps. around bloom time is always the thing I fear - shortens the life of the flower.
Always go for your heart's desire --- if orange speaks to you, you'll love an orange that others dislike.
I have noticed that awards are meaningful. Doesn't mean I like every iris that achieves an AM (Award of Merit) but I've found I've been more disappointed with iris that didn't win at least an HM (Honorable Mention). The exception being with rebloomers. And with foreign hybridizers whose iris may not be entered for US competition. If I have to trim a list this is one criteria I use.

Listed are the ones I'm acquainted with.

Beverly Sills a very pretty peachy pink.
Birthday Surprise was a wonderful warm apricot and raspberry here.
Cloudless Sunrise - not the greatest form but I loved the particular shades of color combo.
Double Shot is more violet than purple here.
Edith Wolford has not been a reliable bloomer here.
Fortunata looked better in pics than in my garden.
Gigolo did not resemble the Cooley's catalog pic at all - the apricot color was a surprise - unusual.
Innocent Star colors didn't do anything for me - beet with pale mustard background on falls.
Liason had beige standards and the fall edge was tinged lav-purp. which disappointed me but overall good looking.
Pagan Dance left me a bit disappointed ?? purple here, uninteresting.
Rosalie Figge was cool purple here unlike the pic I saw - just didn't want that color, uninteresting.

Rosalie Figge is a good bloomer and grower, but I don't care for solid purple, so I found it kind of blah.

Ozark Rebounder I have heard good things

Pagan Dance I prefer Violet Turner
Select Circle a good rebloomer, eye-catching.
Beverly Sills a great grower and pretty peachy pink. Reblooms sometimes.
Betty Dunn a wonderful flower.

Celebration Song too subtle for my taste

Cajun Rhythm My prettiest iris.
Liaison I like it.
Rustler Wonderful iris!
Ruth Black I just bought it. We'll see how it does.
Whispering Spirits- Gorgeous.

Double Shot- I prefer Mariposa Autumn.
Edith Wolford- can be gorgeous.

Spiced Custard- very interesting.

Those are the only ones I am familiar with.
Renee

Wow! I didnt expect such great detailed responses. Thank you both so much, your information really helps. Many of the ones you say are good were my favorites!

The ones I need info on now is on this smaller list.

Abstract Art
Acoma
Apricot Frost
Anon
Bernice's Legacy
Bride's Blush
Cajun Rhythm
Caracas
Cloudless
Candy Floss
Exhilaration
Frappe
Fortunata
Fresno Frolic
Fresno Flash
Heavenly Encor
Jumping
Latin Hideaway
Logo
Marriage Vows
Millennium Sunrise
Minneola
Orange Empire
Plum poodle
Return address
Robusto
Romantic Evening
Ruth Black
Savannah Sunset
Snowed in
Solar fire
Sunrise
Tomorrow's Child
Waiting 4 October
Who's Your Daddy
Wine & Roses
Ziggy

For sure get Cajun Rhythm.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cajun Rhythm Pics

Cajun Rhythm was one of the top 5 that I wanted. It made it on the revised list by mistake. Your pictures are absolutely beautiful! I am definitely getting this one.