I live near a wooded area with really rocky, sandy (crappy) soil. Very dry. Hard for anything to grow except vinca and english ivy.

It's also a shady area 2-3 hours of filtered sun perhaps.

I really would like to plant some bulbs that have vigor to get more green around here and remember when I was younger we had a lot of those purple bearded iris plants that did VERY well on a wooded slope. (what is technical name? japanese iris?)

Anyway, are there any other bulbs that can be recommended for fall planting that will really kick "_ _ _" ?

Thanks !