Would it be high maintenance to complain about the garden at the holiday rental?

Why would the heatwave stop the owners from removing dead plants from pots, in their €4500 euro luxe rural accommodation.

I mean, even the owner agreed in the end.

Totally agree with this, I think in the UK and Europe we are so accepting of crap service and poor standards. We pay a fortune for accommodation. Everything is so expensive these days. If outside space is part of the deal the OP should rightly expect it to be pleasant and well maintained. It’s not a race to the bottom, as it so often appears to be on MN.

We camp at the same campsite every year and it has over 100 pitches I think and there are only 5 toilets. I can’t understand why people think this is acceptable in this day and age. I only agree to go because the DC love it and we only stay for 2 nights. But I find it quite shocking that this is just the norm for campsites apparently.

I wouldn't complain personally because of the multiple heatwaves we have had this year. If the previous occupants stayed for even one week and didn't water the plants then that could easily let them die in this heat. Would you want the owner to stop by the property daily to water the plants or would you want it to be part of your rental contract that you tend to the garden while you are there?
I get your point and it's probably worth mentioning it if you are giving feedback after the stay, but I can't see what the owner can really do other than put fake plants in or intrude on your holiday regularly to water new plants. Even my hardy plants (lavender, shrubs, etc) have been suffering in this weather and without daily watering I could have lost a lot of my garden sadly.

Did you miss the fact that it’s been a heatwave across all of Europe?

Personally it depends on the season.

We’ve been in a heatwave for two months now. Everything is dead, we’ve got hosepipe bans and it’s expected. If it had rained for three weeks straight and everything else was green, I’d be less understanding.

Let Them: Stop trying to fix, change, or micro-manage other people's actions, drama, or opinions.
Let Me: Shift your focus and energy back to your own choices, boundaries, happiness, and goals. 1, 2]

Can’t understand why anyone would accept such a low standard if you gave paid a fortune to stay somewhere for two weeks and it looks like shit. It’s extremely easy to remove dead plants before guests arrive.

Suffer in silence over a garden?

Did you miss the part where OP explained there is no heatwave where she is and that it would be easy to tven remove the dead plants as they would be a hazard if there was a heatwave.

“Suffer in silence”

The poor owner. Imagine being this overbearing when we’re in the middle of a heatwave!!!

Contact the owner & ask do they mind if you tidy up the planters as they're all dead & look depressing. Let them know you'd be happy to plant new flowers/plants if they drop some off for you. Mention the dead tree branch too saying it's a bit dangerous if anyone gets caught on it & could they please come & remove it for safety reasons.

It sounds like hopefully it will get sorted, which is the best outcome!

Posters saying it may be due to the drought are missing this bit in the OP: "The owner lives on site and there are a number of other houses on the property and they have extensive gardens (with non dead plants!) so they are set up to support and garden."

I would contact and say Im concerned about the branch and add that the planters need some attention as well.

There are plants that tolerate heat and drought and I’d expect in a holiday rental for that to be considered. So yes say something and if they don’t act I’d mention it in the review. Like pp I would expect the outside area to be maintained like the inside in a summer holiday rental; and I’d expect the garden to be pleasant and aligned with the photos when I booked. I don’t think that’s unreasonable!

I don't know if you've noticed but there is a drought and heat wave throughout Europe....so the owners probably have thought better of wasting water.

YABU

Where are you?

If you are paying and a well maintained garden was shown and offered on the advert then I would be contacting them. You shouldn’t have to spend your holidays contacting people though. It irks me. The owner should be checking this sort of thing so I would also leave a review.

They sound as though they couldn't care less. Drought or no drought. Once they have your money etc

Raise it with them. The least they could do is a tidy up.

If they don't respond l. I would take lots of photos of the dried out plants and damaged tree and .post them with your review.

I agree.
Please don’t give a poor review before they have had a chance to rectify things.
By all means give one if they don’t respond to your request to tidy things up.

We are living in heat waves..plants die unless they pay someone to water

It's clearly bothering you and I think it would bother me too so you have to speak up now. No point leaving feedback so someone else can get the benefit.
X

I’d probably leave it as a feedback comment. I’d expect the outside area to be maintained as much as the inside. If the owner can’t be bothered to look after the plants, they shouldn’t have any.
It may not that they cant be bothered but of water shortages. Have you seen what has happened to David Beckhams garden in the Cotswolds. All his fruit and veg have been wiped out.
There's a massive heat wave all over Europe so domestic gardens aren't a high priority for watering

I would mention the tree branch though. I'd rather speak than leave a scrappy review. By talling you have a chance to resolve the issue rather than being a dick and going straight to negative reviews.

Of course current weather, drought and watering restrictions have a bearing, in normal times not acceptable currently borderline..