Seasonal underplanting for Cotinus

I planted a smoke bush last year and I love the colour the foliage adds.

However, this is my first full year with it and I was surprised just how long it takes to get going! It's still looking half-bare.

I'm looking for suggestions for suitable bulbs to underplant it - anything that springs up during the long period while the smoke bush is bare. I've always ignored bulbs until now for some reason (I guess the fear of getting it wrong?).

Hopefully, something that's winter hardy and isn't daffodils... the cotinus is in a well-draining spot, so I should hope there's little chance of bulbs rotting.

 

Hi @Hummingbird I always think of cyclamen coum and hederifolium - they flower in autumn and spring, and give a nice interesting foliage background at low level. They are not really bulbs - more like tubers - I had them get to dinner plate size! They also self seed gently. Also dwarf daffodil varieties - preferably choose a single variety rather than a mix as it can look a bit spotty.