It’s hot, I cannot lie. Another thing I cannot lie about: I’m really bad at dealing with the heat. My favorite ways to cope include sitting in the shade along Tulip Tree Allée, drinking lots of cold water, indulging in an occasional popsicle, and staying as far away as possible from the stove; in other words, it’s time to eat lots and lots of salad.

But, as I’m sure you know, plain old iceberg and tomatoes can get a bit repetitive. What’s the solution? Hit the weekly Wednesday NYBG Greenmarket for inspiration (and check out our recipes below)!

This week, in addition to the usual abundance of fruits and veggies, you will also find representatives from the Montefiore Office of Community Health and Wellness offering advice and screenings, and educators from St. Barnabas Hospital offering advice on healthy habits and staying well. And though it may seem hard to motivate in this intense heat, a bit of gentle exercise is still important, so pull on your sneakers and go for a walk with the members of the Weekly Walking Club.

Admission and parking are free to shop at the Greenmarket and EBT, WIC, and FMNP and NYC Health Bucks are accepted. The weekly NYBG Greenmarket near Tulip Tree Allée happens every Wednesday through November 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Sonia Uyterhoeven is the NYBG‘s Gardener for Public Education.

The other day I was walking through Helen’s Garden of the Senses in the Home Gardening Center and I spied one of my favorite hydrangeas, Hydrangea macrophylla Mini Penny™. These days she is reaching about three feet tall and forms a solid four-foot-wide mass. A profusion of large, pale pink blooms spills over onto the walkway.

The intricate floral structure of this mophead hydrangea means that the blossoms have incredible detail and subtle color changes. Mini Penny™ is a dwarf hydrangea that is ideal for any homeowner’s foundation planting. She plays nicely with other shrubs and perennials and adds a sophisticated flair to any garden. If you plant her, all your neighbors will think you know how to garden–even if you don’t.
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It tends to remind us of Hawaii, but this hibiscus cultivar hails from the Fleming Brothers of Nebraska, of all places.

Hibiscus ‘Kopper King’ — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen