Plants in new home garden

[Sminty2]

I’ve bought my next home, 18 months after my husband died. It’s just right for me but with a lovely garden, which was a really important thing for me leaving my beautiful but huge garden we had made over 30 years.

We have exchanged contracts and are due to complete in a few days. Fixtures and fittings included the plants in the gardens, except for the plants in pots, which I’m fine with.

The sellers are now asking if they can remove several plants and shrubs from the garden of my new home, as they remind them of their mum (it’s a probate sale).

They have had several months to take cuttings etc. but haven’t.

Would I be unreasonable to say no? Taking out plants and leaving big gaps will spoil the garden.

They might not even survive transplanting. I would suggest they take cuttings instead.

Our sellers asked if ok to remove 15% we said fine but is medium size plot. Apart from one area we didn’t notice any gapping.

This is a terrible time to move plants anyway. Just tell them to take some cuttings and if you're feeling nice say that if those cuttings fail they can ask you in autumn/spring and you will give them some more.

Tell them no. Plants won't survive being moved in this heat anyway.

No, if they wanted to keep some of the plants they should have removed them before putting the property on the market. It's being "sold as seen" and it's too late to remove items from the property, especially as you have exchanged contracts. Taking anything out now would put them in breach of contract.

Cuttings are a more reasonable option but the time of year to do this varies by species - they could give it a try but if it doesn't work, it's not your problem. They could take photos of the shrubs they like and obtain new specimens accordingly.

Thanks everyone. I’ve asked for a list of exactly what they want and suggested that cuttings ought to be taken in autumn, when it’s more appropriate. I’ve got lots of photos of the gardens, so it will be obvious if anything goes missing.