Spring may seem like a season somewhere in the distant future, but spring bulbs - with the exception of the large tulips - should be planted immediately. September is the time when they start putting out their roots.
Plant them in drifts or in clumps. Don't plant them singly or line them up in military rows. And buy as many as you can afford: you can never have too many. The miniature daffodil `Golden Bells' suffered crop failure this year with at least one big bulb producer, but try these pretty little treasures instead: `Tete-atete', `February Gold', `Minnow', `Silver Chimes', `Jumblie' and the tiny, 5-inch-tall Narcissus canaliculatus.
Buy large tulips now and store them in a cool, dark place until it is time to plant them in late autumn. But dwarf species tulips such as the yellow T. tarda and the pinkish T. saxatilis should be planted now. Plant these also: large daffodils, crocus, chionodoxa, allium (ornamental onion), anemone, erythronium (dog's tooth violet), muscari (grape hyacinth) and fritillary - although the last are a firm favourite with slugs and snails.