Did I just waste my money? What should I do?

I was in one of our local garden centers today (a large local independent one, not a big box store) and they had their summer bulbs on sale--75% off. It seemed too good a bargain to pass up, so I bought 2 Stargazer bulbs, 2 Salmon Star lily bulbs and 4 Casablanca lily bulbs. I checked the bulbs as well as I could through the packaging. They seem OK. I also got some lovely "Belladonna" Amaryllis bulbs.

What's the best thing to do with the lily bulbs? All three lily varieties are Oriental hybrids. Should I plant them now--or wait until next spring? I know if I planted them now, they wouldn't bloom--but would they be better off in the ground or stored away in a cool, dark location? I'm in zone 6b, if that makes a difference to what you advise. I'm hoping I didn't waste my money.... Any advice on what to do is greatly welcome!

By the way, I do know what to do with the Amaryllis bulbs--I'm going to plant them in containers and put them outside now, then bring the containers inside once the cool weather hits. But am I puzzled on what best to do with the lilies and welcome your advice! TIA....

Kim

Plant them.

But before you do, two things: (And I'm sure you know these, just for anybody reading who might bein the same boat.)

Unwrap the bulbs and make sure they are sound and that basically all the scales are held together. Blue mold is ok, but any slimy brown or pink is bad, very bad.

Make sure the drainage is very, very good and no water stands in the area where you will be planting them. They should come up yet this year and possiby bloom right before a killing frost, but that's okay. They'll come up again next year.

I plant lilies 6"deep and if there are a few loose scales, I just tuck them in, but only an inch deep, with the mother bulb -- they might grow a leaf or two, too.

Hopefully other people will chime in with ideas on things like fertilizer, soil & water, but I am sure no one will say to hold them until spring, or even this fall, since those bulbs were harvested last Sep/Oct.

Suzy

Kev,
I also bought several of those packaged lily bulbs. Some from Walmart, some from garden center. I planted them in late spring. They all for the most part have come up. The un-named mixed ones (15) had 12 come up, Muscadet all 3 came up, Centerfold came up. Dizzy didn't come up. Tango Honey Bee 1 of 3 came up.
I am not too concerned about the ones that didn't because I think that the mulch might have been too deep in some areas. They should appear next year I'm told. The ones that came up are really pretty.
I would say plant them because it gives them a chance to develop there root system.
Good Luck
Chuck

Thanks Suzy and Chuck! I'll get them planted and if they bloom this year, I'll post their pictures.