Two other varieties of iris to consider are iris tectorum and Iris xiphium. Iris like moist soil and definitely will need it in your hot climate. In your climate they can take a little shade. They actually will probably benefit from partial shade. Of all the plants I am recommending to you, the flower of the iris is the closest to that of the daylily.
Animals usually leave iris alone.
However, one year I had a deer pull mine up, toss them across the garden and then walk on them. He must have been greatly offended by them. A tropical plant that is deer resistant is Phormium species, also known as flax. While this plant isn't known for its' flowers so much, it has very nice foliage. Depending on the variety, this plant can be from about 3 feet tall to 12 or 14 feet tall.