If you’ve driven the highways around Asheville at any time since 1985, you’ve caught a glimpse of daylilies, poppies and wildflowers covering large swaths of medians and roadsides. The displays are part of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Wildflower Program, which has been enhancing the overall appearance of the state’s highways for more than 20 years.
And this year, Division 13 — which includes Buncombe County — won the annual award for Best Overall program, as well as the William D. Johnson Daylily Award. The latter award specifically mentions the daylilies planted on Interstate 240 at U.S. 19-23 North in Buncombe County. Division 13 also won Best Regional Wildflower Planting for the blooms on U.S. Highway 25 and Ivy River Road in Madison County.
— Margaret Williams
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