Some types, the most common tulips, are not really meant to be perennial - they put on a great show the first year, maybe the second and that it is. There are types that will come back more reliably, but many of then look a bit different than what most people expect from a tulip - they often are shorter, limited colour range, etc. That said, if you look for Fosteriana, they are quite similar to the regular hybrids. They are called "Emperor" tulips. And the other types have many many wonderful features to recommend them - earlier, bright colours, range of sizes, they not only come back - they multiply. I hardly ever buy the regular hybrids anymore. The link I have supplied takes you through the types and comments on how perennial they are likely to be.

The more unusual tulips have actually been fairly easy to find - I get Greigii, Kaufmania, Fosteriana a big box stores. There are also good mail order places for more unusual kinds, but I am in Canada, so my sources won't help you. I don't know anything about this supplier but they have lots of variety on their website.(www.johnscheepers.com)

Here is a link that might be useful: tulip info