It’s hotter than Hades outside, and people are doing whatever it takes to avoid spending time in the unbearable heat. So, what does this mean for outdoor businesses?

The Dallas Arboretum has seen fewer visitors than usual — nothing unusual for the outside attraction during typical Texas summers, but arboretum director of advertising and promotion Maggie Thill says business is far from slow thanks to preparations made in advance to withstand scorching temperatures.

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To keep the gardens blooming, Thill says the horticultural staff tested flameproof, drought-tolerant plants in trial gardens to ensure they would continue to flourish in the tough climate.

Helping to keep customers cool are Toad Corners, giant toad fountains that squirt water from their mouths (popular with kids), and Palmer Fern Dell, a mini-garden with a micro-fine mist system that drops the temperature about 15 to 20 degrees, creating a cool oasis from the heat.

And, of course, August Dollar Days make the weather a little less painful with $1 admission per person (plus parking) all month long. Stop by the Arboretum when it opens at 9 a.m. daily to avoid the heat while temps are still at overnight lows.