It's not too late to plant tulips, which can be set in the ground from September through December. But don't dally, because tulip bulbs won't survive the winter unless they are planted. Like all new bulbs, they arrive with next spring's flower already inside in embryonic form and are all but sure to bloom if only you get them in the ground. You don't even need fertilizer.

Fall planted tulips begin to grow roots as soon as they are watered. Ideally, tulips should be planted six weeks before the first hard frost. Good root development gives them the strength to survive/thrive over winter. Even if optimal planting time has passed, plant bulbs. They won't survive unplanted and most late planted bulbs, even when planted in early winter, will still survive and flower in spring.