...Richmond, VA? I am new to the Richmond area and don't know a lot about what would grow well here in this season. I'd like to start working on the bed in front of my house where there were some shrubs growing that I have cut down and dug out. The bed gets sun morning through about 1 or 2 pm right now. I'd love to have some flowering plants to bring color to my home!

Go with something already blooming froma nursery, as a temp planting. When spring breaks, go ahead and do any permanent planting.

Planting bulbs, and/or seeds now will take a lot of work, may have problems with shock from the heat, etc... If they arent real healthy when they start a hibernation period, you might not get good plants next year.