Enchanting Crooked Cedar Farm: Discover This Hidden Garden Gem in Blythewood, South Carolina

On a hot July day in 2023, I discovered a beautiful hidden gem in Blythewood, South Carolina: Crooked Cedar Farm. Despite the intense summer heat wave, I was amazed to find so many colorful flowers still thriving throughout the property.

Selvin and Edwina Harrell have called Blythewood home for 47 years. After retiring from careers in veterinary research and accounting, they turned their attention to cultivating the beautiful farm and gardens they had dreamed of creating.

I was completely unprepared for the beauty that greeted me the moment I stepped out of my car.

The owners welcomed me warmly, but I found myself struggling to concentrate on our conversation. My eyes kept wandering from one corner of the property to another as I tried to take in everything around me.

Everywhere I looked, there was something beautiful to discover. An incredible variety of flowers, colors, textures, and foliage came together with carefully designed borders, arbors, fountains, statues, benches, arches, and miniature fences. The result felt like a charming English garden transported to the heart of South Carolina.

The garden had a wonderfully whimsical, almost storybook quality. Each turn revealed another combination of plants or garden feature, making it difficult to know where to look first. I found myself constantly reaching for my camera, trying to capture the beauty surrounding me.

Honestly, I’m not sure words can do Crooked Cedar Farm justice, so I’ll let my photographs tell much of the story.

I visited during the height of summer, but I would love to return in spring and fall to see how the garden transforms with the changing seasons. I’m sure each season brings its own colors and character to this already enchanting place.

More Than Just a Garden

Crooked Cedar Farm isn’t simply a beautiful garden. The Harrells also produce and sell a variety of farm-fresh goods.

In addition to eggs from their own chickens, they offer organic vegetables, fresh flower bouquets, homemade sauces, canned products, and local honey. These products are available from a charming little cottage the Harrells built on their property.

I certainly didn’t leave empty-handed. I went home with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, a dozen brown eggs, and some delicious organic tomatoes and cucumbers.

My visit to Crooked Cedar Farm was such a delightful surprise. What began as a stop on a hot summer day turned into an unforgettable garden experience—and one I hope to repeat in a different season.

f You Go

Location: Blythewood, South Carolina.
Best For: Garden lovers, photographers, flower enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a unique local experience.
What You’ll Find: Colorful flowers, garden structures, fountains, statues, benches, arbors, arches, and beautifully landscaped borders.
Farm Products: Depending on the season, the Harrells offer organic vegetables, fresh flower bouquets, farm-fresh eggs, homemade sauces, canned goods, and local honey.
Best Time to Visit: Each season offers something different. Spring and fall would be especially beautiful for experiencing the changing garden colors.
Before You Go: Check Crooked Cedar Farm’s current social media page for available produce, products, visiting information, and hours of operation, as offerings and hours may vary.
Photography: Bring your camera! There are plenty of colorful flowers and charming garden details to photograph.