Punishing Minnesota Heat???

It seems like just yesterday that I was lamenting about the frigid May temperatures we were experiencing here in Minnesota.  Actually, it was only two short weeks ago when we woke up to snow one morning and frost the next.  Scenes like this in May are disheartening for anyone, but especially for a gardener.

My perennial gardens endured these frigid temperatures, however, and bounced back quickly.

This past week we have seen much warmer temperatures and starting yesterday, the humidity rolled in too.  Today, just two weeks after temperatures in the high 20’s, it is in the mid-90’s with a dew point of 64.  The air is thick and oppressive.  The National Weather Service has even issued an “excessive heat” warning.  Bottom line is that it is damn hot and miserable.

Instead of snow and freezing temperatures, my perennial gardens must now suffer under this punishing Minnesota heat.  The same Autumn Joy Seedum plants pictures above with snow look like this today.

They are wilted and look pathetic, as do the Shasta Daisies.

One of my favorite perennials, the Gas Plant, is ready to bloom  but the tall flower spikes are withering under the crushing heat.

Even the Lupines are unable to stand straight and tall.

The weather tomorrow is only supposed to improve slightly, with temperatures in the high 80’s expected.  The good news is that there is a chance of thunderstorms that could offer the plants, grass, trees, people, etc., some much-needed relief.

Weather in Minnesota is extreme and unpredictable.  It provides those of us that live here with endless conversation, as we commiserate about the cold, heat, humidity, wind, or whatever weather pattern we are dealing with at the moment.  To live in a place with predictable and steady temperatures seems unfathomable to me.  And as much as I complain about the weather here, I might just get bored living anywhere else.