Flowers don't worry about how they're going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful.
Tulips can be planted all the way up until your ground freezes, but I recommend getting them in the ground as soon as possible for optimal blooms. I have learned that most tulip varieties require a minimum of 12 weeks of cold to become their best selves, so don't delay as soon as you receive them.
