Advice on planting tulips from individual pots.

Last year I planted tulip bulbs in the very early spring and neglected to endure that they were at the same depth, however the soil was sufficiently warmed that they all grew at the same time and things went wonderfully. This spring the tulips are coming up at varying stages, and I doubt they will all flower at the same time. So I went to the local Lowes store but all they had were individual bulbs already sprouted in single pots, so I picked up 36 of them. My concern is that I cannot plant them at the right depth, without burying the foliage which I assume is a no-no. If I do plant them as shallow as they will be (1-2in.) they should be easy enough to lift, but is there any ill-effect by leaving them in the ground over the winter? Any other concerns I haven't noticed would be welcome, and thanks!

Most pot-grown tulips will split and not reward you with blooms in subsequent years. The best way to get tulips for more than one season is to purchase them in the fall and bury them very deep, say 8 to 10 inches. Darwins work well doing this.

In my climate, tulips don't do well as perennials. I treat them as annual but they're a must - have for every spring. I plant them direct in the garden as well as in pots -- like jmorth mentioned -- in the Fall.