Spring blooming bulbs are planted in Fall, they need a period of chilling in the ground before they will produce.

The box stores and nurseries here are beginning to fill up with colorful primroses. Closer to your last frost date, there will be geraniums, petunias, marigolds, cosmos, sunflowers.

Sometime between now and early April, you could direct sow seeds for nigella, annual poppies for some easy, bright color.

Spring blooming bulbs are often sold as pre-potted starts, ready to go into the ground (or windowbox, planter, etc.) for "instant" spring color. Great for those who procrastinate or just didn't get to it in fall. They should be in local garden centers soon, if not already. And pansies and primroses are typical early spring color and hardy enough to withstand late cold snaps - these are everywhere -- grocery stores, Home Depot, Lowe's, nurseries, etc. They combine well with the bulbs too.