Robust fall planted bulbs

 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 !

 On 9/21/11 6:37 AM, mkr5000 wrote:

Bearded iris is Iris germanica (literally, German iris).  It requires
more sun than you indicate.

Japanese iris (I. ensata) requires ample moisture.  It will even grow in
a pond.

Let us know where you are, that is what is your climate, before anyone
can recommend bulbs.

--
David E. Ross
Climate:  California Mediterranean, see
<http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html>
Gardening diary at <http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary>

 Indiana. I forgot to mention, on top of everything else, this soil is very dry.
I'm within a mile of a large river, maybe that's characteristic if soil near
one, dry and even "rocky" here and there.

 On 9/21/11 1:06 PM, mkr5000 wrote:

Dry, shade, snow in winter, possibly shallow soil.  Instead of bulbs,
you might try hardy perennials.  I can't recommend any because your
climate is too different from mine.

--
David E. Ross
Climate:  California Mediterranean, see
<http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html>
Gardening diary at <http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary>

 
Hard for anything to grow except vinca and english ivy.

"Rocky, sandy, crappy soil" fits the description of the home environment for
many, many bulbous plants.

Where are you in the world so we can choose appropriate species?