“In the summertime, when the weather is high
You can stretch right up and touch the sky”
~ from In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry
This cup plant was looking all bright and summery with only the sky as a background. These plants are native to Kentucky and can grow over 6′ tall, as this one is — although only the very top is shown.
Peggy has planted these in a few places that get lots of sun and they are thriving. The plant gets its common name from the cup-like leaves around the main stem that can hold water from dew or rain. This provides critical water to insects, birds, and even frogs.
All sorts of pollinators are attracted to the bright yellow flower heads and in the fall the flower heads produce seeds that songbirds enjoy eating.
Sometimes I enjoy giving a photograph a painterly look and I attempted to do so with this one.

