Did you store them in the fridge? Tulips need a cold period. Being in Zone 7, you might be able to plant them in the fall and have it work out, depending on how cold your winter gets.
Here's what the John Scheepers folks have to say: "If you are in Horticultural Zone 8 or warmer, we suggest that you consult a local nursery for horticultural information about precooling bulbs to suit your specific micro-climate. Overall, we recommend that tulips be prechilled in Horticultural Zones 8-10 and that all bulbs be prechilled in Horticultural Zones 9-10. Generally, flower bulbs should be prechilled for about ten weeks from 38° to 42°F. Never put them in the freezer! Plant the bulbs immediately upon removal from the refrigerator. "

Here is a link that might be useful: John Scheepers

Thanks Flowerluvr.

I actually kept them inside last winter as I thought I had to pull them at the end of the season. Generally our temperatures get down around 10 degrees at the coldest in winter. So if cold is what they need that should not be a problem. Should I pull them out of the planter they are in now and put them in the ground?

Thanks.

Kate

If the planter is outside you can leave them there through next winter, but I doubt they will have enough foliage this year to re-energize the bulbs for next year and if they were mine I would throw them out and start over. In Sepember when tulips are available buy new ones and chill in the refrigerator(with no fresh fruit) for at least six weeks and up to 10 weeks before planting. Next year try leaving them in the ground through summer and into next winter to see if they will naturalize at your winter temperatures. Al