We Meet in the Garden

Words by Laura Christian, producer & editor

It began with a handwritten note.

Early in 2021, I was looking for some gardens about which our then Director of Photography, Terra Turner, and I could produce a film. I thought the Virginia Historic Garden Week Guidebook would have some good leads for gardens that would be beautifully crafted in time for the spring tours. So, I started reaching out to some people, and, not having any other contact information other than the address, I decided to write a personal note encouraging the recipient to send me an email.

What I hadn’t realized at the time was I was actually looking at the Guidebook for the 2020 tour. The tour which never happened. This was our opportunity to show the gardens that never got to be enjoyed by the hundreds of enthusiasts that flock to view the open gardens and homes of people across the state every year.

I received one response and it was from the Ackermans, Susan and Robby. I still have the handwritten note they sent back to me on my desk. There’s a photo attached of one of the trees in their garden in bloom.

After connecting over the phone, Susan promptly sent me the information they had originally submitted to the Garden Club for their tour guide. It was roughly ten pages of detailed information about the garden, the different plants they’ve grown over the years, the pollinators they see visit, other wildlife sightings, home destruction and subsequent improvements, family history, and even information about Robby’s antique car collection. It was organized like an informational packet, but there was so much story written between the lines.

Once we actually saw the garden in person and got to talk with Susan and Robby, Terra and I knew this was going to be more than a garden tour film. It was when talking about how her and Robby have very different interests that Susan said, “…but we meet in the garden.” There was our film.  

I’ve been PLANTPOP’s main producer since 2016 and I have enjoyed every film we’ve made, especially the ones where I’ve gotten to be on set really getting to know our subject. This film is really special to me because I had the privilege of spending many days with this couple. They have become dear friends and I’m honored to be able to tell just a small snippet of their story. We could probably make two dozen films about all the adventures Susan and Robby have experienced in their lives, but for now we’ll enjoy this one.