Morton Hall, using its beautiful, ruined grounds and its reclusive mistress, Emilia Morton, is full of mysteries. For freelance editor Anne Marie, the crazy garden has become a serene and secret refuge from her loveless relationship. The only other regular visitor is normally Cape, the hall’s part-time gardener, who is forbidden to tend to anything except the magnificent maze or even to satisfy his enigmatic employer.

When Emilia dies, Cape and Anne Marie are astonished to end up among an improbable group of villagers named in her strange will. Morton Hall, including its amazing art collection as soon as glorious grounds, can participate in the community forever, but only if they interact to bring the garden back to lifestyle within an individual year.

As they try to put their differences aside to restore the tangled grounds, long-buried secrets are unearthed. Can days gone by become forgiven as hope and new love begin to bloom?