Paula, are we referring to planting a pelargonium out of doors at the time our tulips are not yet up?
So that would be .....early April...

You wouldn't try to plant your annuals at that time would you.....things like impatiens, salvia, petunia....et al..

Same would apply for the pel....its just much too cold.
Geraniums are put outside and sold in garden centres in maybe late April.....into May and June.

I'm thinking you want a substantial plant to hide the ugly of the tulips when they begin to go brown.
Considering the time the ugly hangs around, I don't worry about hiding them. Besides, I have other interest in their neighbors, lots of iris.

Hardy geraniums - I was kinda thinking of maculatum's...the native, or 'wild' geranium, that blooms before all the other geraniums... anyone with experience? Is it a early strong grower that could cover over the ripening foliage of the tulips?

I use G. sanguineum 'Album' to hide the bulbs after they bloom. It is more vigorous than other G. sanguineums and starts blooming about when the spring bulbs are finished.
Leo