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In order to enjoy tulips in the spring, work must be done in the fall. According to horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, October is the best time to plant spring-flowering bulbs, like tulips. They can be planted up until the ground freezes. Tulips in particular perform best in partial to full sun, so plant bulbs where the flowers will get at least six hours of direct sun each day. When putting bulbs in the ground, place them six to eight inches deep and four to six inches apart.

Also, they advise most modern tulip cultivars bloom well for three or four years, but a few classes bloom well for a longer time period. Darwin hybrid tulips are usually the longest blooming tulip and are available in red, pink, orange, yellow and white. Generally, species tulips are the longest lived tulips when in favorable growing conditions. Species tulips are developed from wild species and work well in rock gardens.