It’s 90° with a heat index of 98°, and rising.  TN weather is all extremes, no in-betweens.  I can’t imagine slaving in pre-AC southern summers, or anywhere people don’t have that luxury today.  Like these orchids, we prefer our heat in moderation.

The outdoor plant world, however, is soaking up the rays and loving it.  I moved my newer potted sun natives to this kiddie pool, where they can bask in the sun with a little water.  The larger ones are nearby in this bed for now.  In late summer/early fall, they’ll all move to their permanent homes in the meadow.

One by one, the sunflowers are opening and reveling in sun, and coneflowers and others are welcoming pollinators.  The tiny bee-like insect on the pink coneflower was a bright iridescent green.