When do I plant Freesia corms? Are they annuals?

The little info paper that came with the bulbs says to plant them now. I'm in zone 8b (Portland, OR). When I looked online to find more information, every site said to plant in the spring for those living in zones lower than 9. The coldest it gets here is in the low 20's, but it rains (what seems like) most of the time. Should I wait? Another question. More than one site said that these are "annuals" as they tend not to bloom 2nd year. I guess I think of corms as being perennials. Are these annuals?

Yes plant them now, you might want to give them a little protection during the coldest days, wrap pot in bubble wrap or bring inside in a cold but frost free area. In wet winter/autumnn/spring areas they do need a very well drained soil.

They are perennials but often grown as annuals, some will come back next year but if you don't bank on them reappearing they will be a nice surprise rather than a disappointment :)

Thank you for your advice. I think I'm going to plant them in the spring after the last frost as my soil is very much clay-based. I'm afraid they may rot during out mild, but very wet winters.

My pleasure! They manage in England over winter and we are famous for our rainfall ;) but to flower well we take the extra precaution of shelter from too much wet.