Our gardens were named for Perry D. Slocum, internationally known hybridizer, who received the Water Lily Hall of Fame Award in 1986. Perry was the President of the International Water Lily Society from 1988-89.

Perry’s Water Gardens is a Wholesale/Retail Aquatic plant nursery established in 1980 by Perry D. Slocum and is known for shipping high quality mature plants. It started out as a quiet place for Perry to retire and do some hybridizing. As Perry’s enthusiasm grew, so did the bloomin’ business. It is now owned and operated by me, Ben R. Gibson. Perry was my stepfather and I bought the gardens in 1986 and worked along side Perry until his death in 2004. Not only was his death a great loss for our family but also a great loss to Water Garden enthusiasts around the world. With his guided hand, outstanding wisdom and an eye for detail, he leaves us all a legacy of beauty scattered throughout water gardens all over the world. We thank him for his gifts of color through his hybridized plants and Photographs, his willingness to share his knowledge with his detailed publications, and fatherly advice. We dedicate our Website to memory of the loved and lost…Perry D. Slocum.

We welcome you to visit us in Cowee Valley, located in the beautiful Western North Carolina Mountains and welcome any questions you might have concerning Water Gardening. Above lists our “Contact Us Page” if you have any inquires and/or Plant Care questions. My wife Terry and I review and reply personally. Based on demands of our time and the volume of questions- we will reply as possible to each question or inquiry submitted. We welcome any commits on what you would like to see on this site and how to better serve you.

We are open for Visitors April 1 thru Labor Day.
No admission fee.
Donations are accepted.
Hours:
Monday-Saturday 9am – 12pm (Closed for Lunch) 1pm – 5pm
Closed on Sundays

The best time of day to view our Nymphaea (water lilies varieties) is 10 am to 2pm whereas many varieties don’t begin to open until between 9am and 10am and like wise begin to close slowly after 2pm. Our Nymphaea (water lilies) begin to bloom early April and began to decrease blooming in early September.

The same time of day applies also to our Nelumbo(Lotus varieties) they open and close their blooms also. Nelumbo begin to bloom in Mid June and begin to decrease flowering in the first part of August in our region.

To view our Water Iris varieties April is the month they show their colors.

We are open for sales throughout the year, but would like for you to call before visiting from October thru March.

The height of our blooming season is the month of July. Along with Water lilies and Lotus, many of our Bog and Poolside plants are in full bloom.

Our Water Gardens is a natural habitat for wildlife. Please don’t pick or pick up Black Walnuts, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries or Persimmons they feed wildlife roaming grounds and surrounding areas.

Before visiting consider using sunscreen or bug repellent, bring refreshments especially during the heat season. We do not market food items at this time. An umbrella for shade while walking is nice and needed for the pop-up rain shower.

Services Available from Perry’s:
Pond Construction
Pond Planting
Monthly Pond Care and cleaning service

Events:
Ask about our Annual Lotus Flower Festival.

Directions:
From Ashville NC.
- Take I-40 west, then take Exit 27, stay on 23 South
- Then take Exit 81, go about 14 miles and you will began to descend Cowee Mountain.
- Just beyond it’s base take a right on Sanderstown Rd.(Next to Mountain City Mobile Homes) follow Sanderstown Rd. to it’s end and take at right on Bryson City Rd.
- Continue on Bryson City Rd. until you see Cowee Baptist Church take the second road on right after church(Cowee Creek Rd.) go 2 miles when you come to Y in road bare left on Leatherman Gap Rd- We are ¼ mile on Right after Y.

From Georgia State Line(from Rabun County GA.)
- North on 441, follow 441 into Franklin NC.
- As you come into Franklin you will see our McDonalds on left at 1st traffic light go straight
- At 2nd light go thru baring slightly left
- At 3rd light go straight until you reach top of hill and take a right
- At 4th light take Left on Hwy 28 North.
- Go 71/2 miles you will see on your left Cowee Baptist Church, take a right on Cowee Creek Rd.(second road on right after church)
- Go about 2 miles when you come to Y in the road bare left on Leatherman Gap rd.
- We are ¼ mile on Right after Y.