Plant these bulb combinations now for a colorful spring

Planting bulbs is perhaps the gardener's ultimate act of hope and faith.

From these mundane-looking little packages, the brightest and most colorful flowers will bloom -- in the spring.

And it's time to buy and plant them now. Generally spring-flowering bulbs should be planted between mid-September and mid-October, according to the University of Illinois Extension.

Not sure what to plant? We asked some bulb experts to share their favorite combinations.

Perhaps because they represent some of the earliest bloomers, yellow and blue are very popular.

Almost any daffodil mixed with blue spring bulbs -- grape hyacinth or scilla for example -- is a hit.

White Flower Farm sells the Spring Cavalry collection -- Narcissus Tete a Tete with Scilla Siberica Spring Beauty.

"Spring Cavalry is just so cheerful and reliable that it's hard not to like!" combination turned up from a quick poll in the office of the mail-order company.

The staff suggests planting it for extra color around a mailbox or light post or tucked in among perennials.

Todd Jacobson, manager of horticulture at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle also likes these two early spring bloomers for naturalizing, which means they will spread year after year.

Some other beauty matches to inspire you:

Daffodils and grape hyacinth:

Diana Stoll, retail manager of Planter's Palette in Winfield, prefers her daffodils with grape hyacinth, which is available in varieties that bloom from early to mid-spring. In fact, she plants grape hyacinth with all her bulbs because the foliage comes up in fall, marking where she should avoid digging.

One of her favorites is Valerie Finnis.

Another choice from Stoll is chionodoxa or Glory of the Snow with early-flowering light daffodils. This comes in pink, too, if you need an alternative to blue.

Dutch treat:

At Holland's Keukenhof bulb garden, landscape designer Jacqueline van der Kloet combines Narcissus Jack Snipe, which is white with a yellow cup, with Muscari latifolium, a two-tone grape hyacinth, and in Ballade, a reddish-magenta tulip edged in white.

Dramatic color:

Tulips are, of course, stars in every bulb garden.

The Morton Arboretum's Jacobson suggests pairing purple and apricot tulips.

"The rich-colored Negrita are a little taller and peek out on top of the Apricot Beauty, which contrast very well.

"Both are mid-season bloomers.

"We especially love to use tulips in containers or beds that can be changed out during spring, summer and fall."

Red and white:

Piet Oudolf, a designer from Holland who is known for artistic gardens inspired by nature, chose Red Shine and cream-edged deep red Carnaval de Nice tulips for a mid-spring bloom.