I've had good luck with tulips in my garden and I think the key is to plant the bulbs at the right time for your climate. In cooler regions, it's usually best to plant tulip bulbs in September or October, about 6 to 8 weeks before the ground freezes. This gives them enough time to establish themselves before winter. In warmer regions, you can plant them in late winter to early spring, around January or February, when the weather is still cool. The idea is to get them in the ground when it's cool, so they have a chance to grow roots before the heat sets in, which should give you beautiful blooms in the spring.