When to plant lily bulbs?

I received some lilium regale bulbs free with a recent online order. Problem is, I gather they are supposed to be planted either in spring (and I'm too late) or autumn (too early). I think they are already trying to sprout. What's the best thing to do with them? Should I just plant them now, and hope for the best next year? Or hold on until autumn, and risk them being past their best?

 

I planted mine in February and they are just about to flower now, this was straight into the garden. I've just planted some dahlias I bought for 10p as although they probably won't get to flower I figured it would be better to do this so they make it again next year.

 

they keep them in cold storage so plant them up and they should flower in August

 

They are planted! Who knows if they will flower this year, but I looked at them and decided they wouldn't wait. Fingers crossed for lilies! (At least they were free, so nothing to lose). :-)

 

If they flower late, or are rather feeble from being planted late, I would snap off any flowers before they open to conserve energy for next year. Leave one to check they are the colour etc. you expect, but don't be greedy!

Either way, deadhead immediately after flowering so the plant doesn't waste energy on trying to make seeds and can build up the bulb for a sensational show next year instead

Look out for lily beetles (red things) as they will munch the foliage and reduce the vigour of the plant dramatically, probably enough to prevent the bulb surviving to next year. They are easily crushed, but they fall off the leaves, as you try to grab them, very easily - and then lay on their backs so you can't see them on the soil - so there is a bit of a knack to catching the blighters

My lilies are just opening here now