Bulbs, oak leaf mulch and pansies question

I have a bed under my oak tree that I filled with tulips. Unfortunately, my 12 year old helped me to plant them and he finished his sections way too fast. I suspect most are planted far too shallow. It's a huge bed, and there is no way to poke around and try to locate those that he short changed. We shredded the oak leaves (as there is no shortage around here) and put a good 2-3 inches of finely chopped oak leaf much on top of the bed. Was this a mistake? I stumbled upon this site http://www.mdc.mo.gov/conmag/1995/10/07.html that has wonderful things to say about oak leaves as mulch, but they do mention one thing that concerns me,

"Scientists have found that fallen maple and oak leaves release natural phenols during the first 6 to 8 months of the rotting period. These phenols inhibit growth of seedling roots, but rot and disappear from soil and mulch within 9 months of weathering. Better to keep dead leaves and leaf compost out of an area where seeds will be sprouting until after plants are up and growing well."

Should I remove the oak leaves from the bed? Should I mulch with a different type, like pine needles?

One other question....an injured back left me with too many bulbs and pansies that did not make it into the ground. I dumped them into large pots outside, together. Bulbs at the bottom and then alternated the pansies around them a few layers up. Was this a mistake? I didn't want to throw anything out, but will the roots of the pansiers (4 " plants from lowes) prevent the tulips from coming up?

So many questions, I appreciate any help and guidance. :-)

I wouldn't think the oak leaves would have much effect on the tulips growing as the leaves are on the top. I would think they mean by seedling roots ones which have germinated from seed on or near the surface. If your tulips are in soil the leaves will only act as a mulch.

Pansies should be fine on top of the other bulbs in pots, their roots don't grow too big and the roots of the bulbs will be at the bottom. You would need to leave sufficient space at the bottom of the pot for the bulb roots. They will send up their stems through the pansies.

Thank you!! :-)