Deborah, I would plant in the ground only if I wanted to take a chance to see if the bulbs will survive. If you do this, make sure to mulch them, will have a better chance to make it through the winter. Try for good drainage, too, don't want them staying wet and maybe rotting. Otherwise, wait until spring and then put them in the ground. I see we are in the same 8a zone, but there is always that micro-climate thing, so it doesn't mean we would have the same results. Good Luck.
