Hello garden experts,

I purchased some freesia bulbs last week at the Huntington Gardens spring plant sale. They came in a narrow plastic pot in soil, with some withering foliage. I'm confused. Should I plant them now, or wait until the fall? I'm in Southern California zone 10A and the internet says buy bulbs in September, plant in fall. But I assume those are the dried kind. If I wait, should I water them in the soil or remove them and dry them?

If I plant them now, should I water? The markers say no summer water. I would ideally like to plant them where there are already plants and I have to water through the summer. If they get some residual water, will that be ok?

Thank you!