Don't worry--nothing's going to happen that fast in a lilies world--especially 8-9 inches down. That's a little deep, if anything. Yes, first couple weeks of November might be Ideal but you can't play the weather anymore and neither can the bulb growers-so you get them--while you can get them--and plant them when you can plant them!. Those lily bulbs won't start growing a stem even if you have a few more warm days. I grow lilies as a hobby; many, many, many and have several occasions each year where I have to plant as early as early Sept and as late as mid Dec.

In rethinking your question I'd like to elaborate a little further. Most North American growers would have told you weather was a factor in being late. If your second order is from a Dutch Importer who markets here In North America, they're probably waiting for a late shipment themselves to fill your order and using your mild climate as a stall tactic. It could also be that they are holding bulbs originally vernalized and conditioned for spring planting in refrigeration and deliberately waiting for your soil temperature to drop to cold, safe level so they won't wake up and think its spring and start to grow now. If thats the case, they're better off being later. Refrigeration of bulbs is a fairly common practice but is usually best suited for Spring planting. In any case, you shouldn't have a problem--just plant them. If you do, ask for replacements. Most are pretty good that way! Good Luck!

They just sent the other O.T. bulbs I ordered so everything is in the ground so now it can snow. This is the first year of planting lilies for me. Thanks again for answering my queries.

Perfect! Now, during the next year you lilies will be setting their biological clock exactly to your areas seasons and climate. From then on they will bloom within about the same week every year. Lillies can be slow to emerge in the spring--just be patient. And don't forget, don't cut back after they bloom. Leave the stem and leafs on until they turn yellow/brown and either fall off or freeze off in the Fall. Then cut back to about 2 to 3 inches (6 to 8 cm). If you're new to lilies, more questions are always welcome.