I mostly plant perennials but love to plant bulbs as annuals. In the subtropic climate of New Orleans almost all bulbs require at least six weeks of refrigeration. It takes up space in the refrigerator but it is well worth it. I buy the bulbs, mostly tulips, wrap them up nicely to protect them and place them at the top of the frige. You don't want them to freeze so the top is the best place. Bulbs like paperwhites and amaryllis are said by some not to require the cold period but I have found that they do better when they have a cool period. After 2-3 months I plant them the first week of January on a cold day. Not every day in January will be cold in New Orleans. I plant them on a cold day because you don't want the bulbs to warm up too quickly. In March and April and sometime into May my garden is filled with all kinds of color from about 150 bulbs, tulips, paperwhites, hyacinths, and daffodils.