Is your soil heavy clay? Mine is clay based, but it is far and away better than what I had in GA. I have a topsoil layer but it gets more clay as I dig down.

My friend is in a gorgeous new home south of DC, but there is no topsoil for her. Planting meant hours of digging in amendments into sticky grey stuff. It's a shame what they do to the soil in new construction.

My iris are on their second year and I am feeling optimistic. However, after my initial failure, I was careful to buy iris growing in a pot or source divisions from a friend that had leaves/soil/roots attached. It has worked out well so far (fingers crossed).