The whole town anxiously awaits the impending blooming of the Middleton Merriwick, but when the plant is cut, it has dramatic impact upon the Merriwick women; Grace begins to suspect Nick is going to ask her out.
Cassie and the residents of Middleton anticipate the blossoming of the rare Middleton Merriwick plant for the first time in decades. Martha plans to publicize that the town houses the rarity, by escorting a curious botanist from the university to the botanical gardens to study its wonder. George accidentally reveals Sam and Cassie's pseudo-secret that they are officially together, causing Grace to feel hurt as she wasn't told first.
A cryptic text from Nick leads Grace to think he plans to ask her out, but she worries that this could complicate their friendship. Later in the botanical gardens, it is discovered someone cut a stalk off the Merriwick and it seems its decline affects the ladies in town.