If I understand you, you were given blooming potted tulips which are now through blooming but still has green foliage. You may plant them in the garden now in a well drained spot where they won't rot from summer water and let the foliage die back as the bulb is replenished for next year. Most people do not think this worth the trouble for a tulip that will probably not bloom next year. The cost of tulip bulbs that WILL bloom is only pennies. Al

I have planted many, many spent potted bulb plants (including tulips) over the years and almost all of them have thrived. I was a florist and there were always some that didn't sell. I go around to florists and garden centers now and buy their spent bulbs cheap.