Tulips do come back every year as they are perennial although not all tulips will come back every year depending on the variety of tulips and the location.
Years of breeding tulips to get the most beautiful blooms means that some varieties of tulips only flower one year reliably.
If you grow tulips in pots you will need to plant fresh tulip bulbs each year.
Tulips grow best when they are planted in full sun in the North and in partial shade when planted in the South.
When planting tulips the tulip bulbs should be pointed end up in well drained soil that has a pH between 6 and 7.
You should also add some compost to improve any sandy soils and poor draining clay soils.
The tulips should be spaced 4" to 6" apart.
Tulips grow well in soil rich in organic matter.
The tulips like and prefer a cool moist conditions in spring, with a dry warm summer conditions for their summer 'rest' (dormancy).
Most grow in an open position full sun, although some tolerate part-shade.
The Netherlands is the world's main producer of commercial tulip plants, producing as many as 3 billion bulbs annually, the majority for export.
Unlike many flower species, tulips do not produce nectar to entice insect pollination.
You should not plant tulips or tulip bulbs under eaves of homes or protected areas where the ground does not get the natural winter rains.
Ground surface of tulips needs moisture.
Although you do not need to dig and divide your tulips every year; they should be dug up at least 3-4 years if planted in the ground.
If you are not digging them up yearly, make sure they are not in an area of the yard where they will be watered all summer.
Too much water over the summer will rot/kill your bulbs.
In order for the tulip bulbs to bloom in the spring, they need weeks of at least 5 c. or 40 f.
Frost at this time does not harm the bulbs.
The bulbs begin to change as the starch, or carbohydrates in them turns to sugar.
As this occurs, the leaves and flower gradually push up-wards out of the bulb.
When planting tulips you should plan on 9 to 12 bulbs per square foot.
For a full look, put 2" to 3" of space between the bulbs.
Using a 4" spacing will stretch the bulbs, but not look quite as full.
To plant a lot of bulbs fast, dig out the entire planting area to a depth of 6 to 8” and pile the soil on a tarp nearby.