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

[Ouiouimerci]

We are staying at a holiday rental for 2 weeks and the plants in the plant boxes around the terrace are completely dead - there is also one large dead tree branch jutting out that looks quite hazardous.

The terrace is where you spend all your time, family bbqs etc so it just feels quite dreary and apocalyptic.

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.

Would I be unreasonable to (1) offer to do a bit of light terrace gardening and remove the dead plants myself (empty plant boxes would be preferable) or (2) kick up slightly more fuss and ask if a gardener is planned and what is happening with the hazardous dead branch?

We have paid €4500 euro for the two weeks so not a budget stay, and the place is definitely billed as a luxe rural accommodation.

Not sure if I’m being OTT though and don’t want to annoy her and seem crazy.

Please let me know wise MN!

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.

No, it's not high maintenance at all for the price you are paying. As you say, no plants would be better than dead plants. It's shabby and not nice to look at.

I would ask if there is anywhere that the pots could be moved to. I would use the word you said “dreary” - and say something like “it makes us feel depressed when we sit out”. Don’t wait until you have left to review it. Give the owner chance to sort it while you are there.

Saying the plant pots make you depressed as PP suggested would be ridiculous. Think you can ask about the tree but the rest is for a review

Yes agree would do this for a short stay, but we are here for another two weeks and it’s our summer holiday so it will annoy me every evening 😣 we are also having friends join us halfway through who have travelled here on our recommendation so I feel bad that it’s not maintained. Would prefer it sorted! And am happy to get my hands dirty and help out if she’s busy!

Good advice thank you, I can be a bit flippant with language so will stick to no hyperbole! Unfortunately the planters form the safety fence of the terrace to a steep drop below so need to stay. Edit: reply is for @Ilovemyfam @Nopayrise

I think it's very reasonable to expect that for that price. I wouldn't want to be responsible for pots in a holiday house so I would e.g. plant lavender, rosemary, bay, olive trees i.e. things that can go in the ground and that are very stiff tolerant. If they don't want to do that they should water the plants and maintain the garden. The garden is often a big feature of holiday homes abroad where almost all ones time may be spent outside.

I would contact them today and ask the tree branch to be cut down .

The planters and boxes are probably looking worse for wear due to the prolonged hot dry weatherproof we ĥave been having ( presuming your in Europe)
And while I can understand its not what you'd want I wouldn't complain but I'd point it out and ask if she would like you to water then to see if they come back to life.

It may well be that the previous renters were asked to water them but didnt.

I certainly would not offer to do any replanting of any sort that leads to far to many issues like what to plant , where , who pays for seeds / bulbs / soil