They look like Gladioli.

Thanks! The house was empty for a year and a half before we bought it. There's a 30 yr old Camillia bush in the backyard that is HUGE, a well pruned japanese maple, a high producing satsuma tree, and as i discovered this past winter, a TON of daffodils randomly placed all over. (My mom says I should dig them up and give them a structured layout so they can avoid the lawnmower). Also Spider lillies and rose bushes that flower beautifully are hidden all over. And my favorite is the double-bloom hibiscus tree. I have wonderful honey bees everywhere and it seems the previous owner was quite the gardener. It has been such a joy to discover all these gorgeous colorful presents around my yard.

Fun! Post a pic when they bloom.

I second glads. They would be hardy over winter in places a satsuma tree or spider lilies would be. The bulbs sound like glads, too. Look up pictures of glad bulbs, they are relatively unique. Up here we have to dig them up every fall and reset them every spring.

I looked up the gladioli bulbs. I'm not quite sure they are the same. These bulbs I found were very flat. Like discs. But who knows, I am definitely just starting out gardening, so your guesses are far more educated than mine. :)

I'm going to guess glads too. Some of them are plumper, but I have some that are very flat disks. I think maybe it's just different kinds can be plumper or flatter.

Ah, okay. Well I'm excited. I'll be sure to post a picture when they bloom

Sounds like a fun garden to inherit! To my mind, Crocosmia bulbs also fit your description as well as the picture of your foliage.

Good point babs, I have to admit to no experience with milder climates having spent my life in zones 4 and 5.