Barb, I think you would be fine putting them in the ground now... or at least I hope so, I have a number of different perennials that I started from seed this year, in pots, that I'm going to put in the ground in the garden and then transplant to where I want them more permanently in the spring. You're in a warmer area than I am, but I always cover mine with some "floating row cover" and/or mulch to help protect them through the cold weather.