The Chocolate Garden Is A Hidden Garden In South Carolina Worthy Of A Day Hike

Did you really just read Chocolate Garden in that title, you may be wondering? Why yes – yes, you did! Now, what exactly is a chocolate garden, might be your next question. Well, come along and we'll show you as we explore this fabulous place that's one of the coolest hidden gardens in South Carolina, especially if you love chocolate. And bring some chocolate-loving friends along with you!

This hidden chocolate garden is found inside Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter, about 45 miles east of Columbia.

Swan Lake Iris Gardens is best known as the only public park in the United States to have all eight species of swans — including Royal white mutes, Black Necks, Coscorobas, Whoopers, Black Australians, Whistlers, Bewicks, and Trumpeters.

In the spring, it's like a sea of purple as irises bloom in the gardens. During Memorial Day weekend each year, you can even attend the Iris Festival here.

But there's so much more to Swan Lake Iris Gardens than the swans and irises! As you can see from this sign, there are several types of gardens to enjoy, including a Chocolate Garden!

This whimsical secret garden in South Carolina features a variety of edible plants, including Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes, Chocolate Corn, and Chocolate Mini Bell Peppers which all have a chocolate look to them but maintains their vegetable flavors. As tempting as it surely may be, please do not sample the plants!

You'll also find flowers in this hidden garden in SC that smell "chocolaty," such as the Chocolate Daisy, Chocolate Mint, and Chocolate Cosmos. There are flowers with chocolate-colored leaves, or stems, or centers of flowers, as well as chocolate-looking grasses and a chocolate Mimosa tree.

For a splash of color in this garden, various "white chocolate," strawberry and banana-colored selections have been interwoven for a "Banana Split" effect. A cypress-covered path weaves around the plants, and an arbor full of Chocolate Vine is the perfect place to capture a memorable photo.

The Swan Lake Gardens Loop is the name of the trail that leads you around the lake and through each of the garden areas. It's less than a mile long and would take only about 14 minutes start-to-finish, but you'll want to allow time to "stop and smell the roses" — or in this case, chocolate — along the way!

Did you know there are hidden gardens in South Carolina, much less a chocolate garden?