Doesn't really matter which way round you do it - but I would add that the best time to apply a thick mulch is actually mid April or May, before the heat of summer hits, and whilst the soil is still very moist, but already warming up. Put it down now, and you'll be trapping the cold in the ground and keeping out the heat... though for all I know, you're warmer than UK in March anyway.

I'd plant the bulbs and then mulch, much easier than digging through the mulch to plant them.

Thanks Bamboo that makes sense. I hadn't actually taken heat of the soil into consideration! That's what I thought Moon grower. However if I plant the bulbs first, how will the additional inches of mulch affect the planting depth. Will the bulbs find their own way? I think this what my real concern is. Sorry if this sounds a silly question.

They should find their way - 2 inches of mulch shouldn't be a problem, they'll find their way and if they're later flowering, the mulch will have shrunk down anyway.

Thanks very much for the advice Bamboo. It's appreciated.

The bulbs in our garden get mulched at times - never seems to be a problem. As Bamboo says they just take that bit longer to appear. Most bulbs are planted too shallowly and drag themselves down into the ground.