Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Tulip

Tulip is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of planting at three times the depth of the bulb in the early stages and paid for it. bulb rot from waterlogging in poorly drained soil also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a formal bedding scheme for maximum visual impact which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. wide range of flower forms, heights, and flowering times is visible but muted. earliest crocuses and snowdrops emerging in late winter gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.