The answer is to plan, purchase and plant and the time is now. The first step is to plan and the suggestion is that you should restrict your choice to two or three types of bulbs to create the best impression. Then there are tips on what to look out for when buying the bulbs. This is followed by full instructions on planting to ensure success. This information comes from an article by Kathy Woodard which I found on The Garden Glove website.

We all do it every spring?we lust after a gorgeous spring bulb garden, full of bright colors after a long gray winter? And every year we say, ?Next spring I?m going to have a garden like that!? Well this is your year, because not only is TGG going to give you an easy to understand primer, we are going to show you exactly how to choose, buy and design with them this fall so that next spring your yard will be the envy of the block! The tutorial starts out with planning your design, then leads you right through to how to plant and then care for your bulbs.
Unless you are planning to plant hundreds of bulbs in full public garden style (not recommended for the average gardener!) planning a spring bulb garden isn?t complicated. Here are a couple of guidelines to keep in mind.

Choose just two or three types of bulbs to use in your yard. Using just a few of every pretty bulb out there will just leave your garden looking cluttered and lost, without the impact you are looking for. Use the same bulb in groups and drifts for the best design strategy.

Choose bulbs that bloom at the same time. Most bulbs bloom for just a few short weeks every spring, and to get the best effect, choose ones that bloom together. Bulbs are classified into early season, mid season and late season bloomers. If you want the most impressive spring bulb garden show, plan your bulb garden to either all bloom at once, or to have several different shows in each classification.

See more at The Garden Glove