Carol Wall, living in a lily-white neighbourhood in Middle America, is at a crossroads in her life. Her children are grown up; she has survived illness, her beloved parents are getting older and she feels she needs a new purpose in life. One day she notices a dark-skinned African man tending her neighbour's garden. His name is Giles Owita and he is from Kenya. He works in the local supermarket bagging groceries; however he's also very good at gardening. Before long Giles is transforming not only Carol's yard, but her life. Though they seem quite different, a caring bond grows between them.