I've grown seeds from that very same packet "Bring Home the Butterflies" (from Botanical Interests), and I live in San Francisco too. It's a great mix packet! Comes with so many different types, and lots of them too. I still have a bunch. Since those seeds come from all different climate zones, you don't need to worry about planting them too early or too late. In San Francisco, you can plant them pretty much any time of the year. I would recommend though, if you want to only plant a few types from that mix, that you look up information on those plants so you can give them the most suitable environment, because they are all different. (For instance, some plants might need darkness to germinate, some might need light, etc, some might need part shade, etc.) I know the packet is designed for the gardener to just toss a bunch of seeds on the ground and let nature do the rest, but I've planted mine separately just because I wanted to have individual plants, not a big crowded pot. Two years ago I first planted my butterfly seeds in the middle of summer and I had flowers all the way up until Christmas time. There will always be late-season bugs happy to find a home in your plants.

I have a few of those in my yard! Who knew I had invented a butterfly log cabin! In my yard that we call it a critter apartment. Starting with the groundhog on the lower level, the chipmunks next, then the mice on the second floor, then perhaps the butterflies on the third, then the water snakes on top sunning themselves while waiting for a snack to appear. I can't turn over or open anything without fear of somebody saying "hi". The best are the nursery web spiders who like to hang out eye level on my barn door. My DH has his lawn mower in there and is afraid of spiders. It is really fun to watch a 6'4' guy sprint across the yard for his wife to remove the tarantula. Ah nature! Got to love it! -Elisabeth

During a rainstorm, you will not find a butterfly house full of butterflies waiting for a break in the weather. runmede: Were your friend's Question Marks (or were they Commas?) observed overnighting or overwintering in the butterfly house? Perhaps they were perched or basking on it.

There are dog houses, bird houses, chicken coops, rabbit hutches, horse stables, bee hives, and possums living under the porch--why not have a butterfly house? Butterflies tend to sleep under the stars or just don't have a herd mentality; a store-bought or home-made butterfly house is more likely to become the home of spiders, wasps, or perhaps bees. Although it is possible a butterfly or a moth might rarely roost in one temporarily, a butterfly house should be considered a garden ornament, rather than a practical butterfly home. The best butterfly houses are undisturbed natural areas that go unpruned and unraked, have tall grass and are not chemically treated in any way. So if you buy or build a butterfly house, enjoy your purchase or handicraft, and enjoy watching the butterflies ignoring your efforts. Image by: Stuart_S Not sold in stores!