Butterflies are a common sight this time of year. Soft, colorful wings alight on flowers throughout the summer, and monarchs begin their en masse migration in September. But you might notice a few more butterflies than usual dotting the local landscape — because the Asheville Butterfly Trail has spread its wings.
After a year of planning, Bee City Asheville has completed two of the 15+ human-scale butterfly stations that will be placed around the city. All the butterflies represented will be native to WNC, and each station will include information about the history of the species, as well as a QR code to learn more about their pollination ecology, sustainability, and metamorphosis.
The eastern tiger swallowtail’s elegant yellow and black form sits in front of the Asheville Visitor Center, and the bold orange gulf fritillary found a home at Reems Creek Nursery.
Stop by to see them now or join the official ribbon cutting on Thursday, Aug. 29.