less wimpy tulip suggestions?

Hi -

I had some Heart's Delight Kaufmannia tulips coming up beautifully, but we had a rainstorm and everything just flopped over! All my daffodils are still standing up, as are my early tulips. Can anyone suggest any favorite strongest tulips to last through spring rains? Thanks!

These Darwin Hybrids were good for us this spring. I was really surprised they did so well.

http://www.vanengelen.com/catview.cgi?_fn=Product&_category=Tulips:GiantDarwin

I have good luck with Apricot Beauty and Princess Irene. These were in a heavy storm two days before I took this pic, last Wednesday (4/23).

I luv luv luv 'Princes Irene'. I wish mine from last year had looked as nicely grown as yours !

So, LeawoodG., do you plant them in small bulb trays and put them in the fridge and then take them out and put them into the big pots to finish growing?

I tried to do bulbs in pots last year, leaving them outside, and they all seemed to rot or freeze. Didn't get any beauties like yours.

This year I bought some tulips already 'started' in bulb trays at Lowe's and transplanted them into containers to finish growing. That worked pretty well, but I don't get to pick out unusual bulbs--mostly 'yellow', 'red', 'purple'.

I put my bulbs in plastic azalea pots (using moisture-retention potting soil) and bury them in a border garden in the fall, covered with mulch. In early March I dig them up and place them in my urns. I've had great luck with Princess Irene, Apricot Beauty and Calgary. I find the taller varieties don't work as well in my urns and tend to get wind damage and look unsightly.

Sounds like a good plan. I will try it next year! Must get some beautiful urns like yours, though!