(sorry this is long, but you need the whole picture though my eyes)

I purchased a home in October and not ever being a gardener or ever owning a house plant I realized shortly after moving in the property came with a history. My first goal was to chop down all those things that would require maintenance. Called a tree and yard service to come cut down trees and cut the grass. Oh boy did I ever get an ear full and he refused to cut anything down or mow the lawn.
The previous owner passed away and only clues were left of the property. After trying to ask neighbors they were tight lipped and only when I went to the local bank I finally found some answers. After an hour-long history lesson about the property all I could do was go to my car and cry.

Found out most all of the trees and plants on the property the previous owner propagated and was used for either for sale or donated to some groups to do fundraising each year. Here is the list of trees and plants he propagated and are on the property:
Southern Magnolia tree (40 plus babies from 1' to 5' under one mother tree)
Chinese Parasole tree (50 plus babies in pots and in beds from 1' to 4')
Heavenly Bamboo (to many to count)
Cape Jasmine
White Oak tree
China Roses
Bearded Iris
Chinese Tallow
Chinese Snowball
And my lawn is all Korean lawn grass

Now knowing the history, I cannot chop anything down. I must be a good steward to the property and do my best to carry on with the property the best I can. I have trolled this site for weeks reading post after post on any guidance I can use to help me on my new journey. However, I'm just overwhelmed and don't know where to start or what to do next. I found Google and YouTube might be good with information I have come to the source and reaching out for any guidance I can get.

I have made my first two purchases, garden gloves and pruning clippers.
(Thank you in advance for all the help I'm hoping to get here)

@purpleinopp

Hi and welcome.

Whose garden is this?

Have it how you want it, not your neighbours.

Don't make someone else's interests, "an inherited burden."

Believe me, you'll find someone to do what you want with the garden. Go on-line.


You could tell these fundraising groups, that any plants you don't want, they can come and dig them up and do what they like with them.

Personally, I wouldn't bother.

Hi & welcome to the site! Congrats on your new home! Are you able to add some pics of the property?

What was your goal when you bought it? What did the lawn service tell you?

It's not your responsibility to continue what the previous owner was doing. If somebody else wanted the property, or had strong feelings about what should be done with it, they should have bought it. Gardeners chop down their own plants occasionally, it's not that big of a deal. Tastes change, trees can get ill, get bigger than expected, living things don't last forever.

You could try to give away some of the excess baby plants if you want to, or chip them up for mulch.

Once the baby plants are gone, trees and shrubs shouldn't need much maintenance unless they were put where they don't have room to grow. If that is what has happened, it would be best to thin the herd.

Welcome to NGA @Rachel1010

I agree with the comments above; the property is your to do with as you wish, unless there are some HOA or other community regulations that you need to follow. I'd love to know what the yard service guy said to you...

You might want to consider not cutting down all of the trees, some shade is a nice thing to have in your yard - but again, that should be your decision to make. Best wishes to you with your new home

From your description most of the trees and plants were destined to leave your garden anyway (donated or sold). That was the intent of the prior owner.

So, you cannot let them all stay. Not enough room.
The real question is: In what manner do you want them to leave your garden?

Have a neighborhood digging party. Flag all the ones you are getting rid of with flagging tape, and invite people to come dig up and remove what they want that is flagged. You will get to know everyone in the neighborhood that way.

I have never heard of someone refusing to cut lawn before, though. That sounds totally bizarre. Guy does not sound like a professional. Buy a mower.

PS - You cannot really sell any of your garden plants without being state inspected as a licensed nursery.

PPS - I am assuming it is a very very small town. What bank employee has an hour to waste talking about a house when they should be working? And why wont your neighbors talk to you when you ask them specific questions?

I agree w other posters. Unless you weren't advised there is a hidden covenant attached to your property or you are listed on the national historical registry or state/city/county, it's your property to do what and how you'd like.

You aren't obligated to keep providing for plant sales or donations. Was there a contract for such or just the man's goodwill and particular plant enjoyment he'd like to share and it was a cheap way for the societies to make money?

If not, be your own type of steward to the land as you see fit. You should be able to find another landscape team to help. We all have different visions. Can I ask, are you new to this town and is it small? I live in one and when I started making changes I heard about it from some cousin to the original owner in 1905 55x removed in the family tree, yet as we made changes to the house and yard they would grumble to everyone. Found old photos from another family member who stopped when we had a rummage sale (didn't know them either!) and here were hollyhocks in the same place that I had planted vs 1905 when their grandma lived here and they were so happy to see them again. Anywho, there will always be busybodies and those neighbors that tsssk. Enjoy your property and do what you see fit.

Btw the iris can be lovely and not that big a cleanup!

You have a good start with your gloves and pruners. Get yourself a garden hat, bug spray, 5 gal pails for hauling, a good hand trowel and a notebook to write down your ideas. Live w the space for a full year of seasons to see what it does and what you may enjoy or positively can't stand. Take pictures to refer back to and start planning what you want to see. See if you have any low lie areas that hold water, or dry areas that are bald. We all started where you have at some point and we all continue to make changes as sometimes you plant something and it takes over the garden, fizzles out of just fits the WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

And the people here have good ideas and lots of knowledge - welcome to you. Good luck and don't let some busybodies deter you.

Added to: I love small towns, have come from them before, but sometimes when the whole town is connected - it can be kind of hard when they feel it's their place to guide you with your domicile because so and so used to live there. Good luck!

I would live with the property as is for a few months before removing anything. Give it a good walk about and then decide what you want to take out and what you might like to leave. If vegetable gardening and a full on flower garden is what you're after lots of the shade producing trees will have to go. But there's nothing wrong with having the best of both. I love a shade garden with ferns and hostas and hydrangeas. You can keep some of the trees and create a shady nook to enjoy on a steamy hot afternoon. At the same time open up another area for vegetable and flower growing or perhaps some manicured shrub beds with a lawn. This is YOUR space now. Don't let other people run your show. Make it what you want. Good luck and Welcome to NGA!

Rachel1010,
Welcome!! There is a lot of great advice. Please give it a year and don't be overwhelmed. Sell or donate plants and keep it in a fund for what you really want to have on your property.
As Community activist you are not alone when buying a house you had no clue had so much history. Look at it as a potential to learn! You have now done the research and it will take you some time to make it yours! Just sorry that the previous owner didn't leave you a detailed information to help you on our journey.
More folks should access City and County information before buying, real estate folks are there to just sell and have no clue on the history or what you will have to deal with, they only want the sell.
You are not alone!

Thank you all for your comments.

The yard service man was the one that told me I had Korean lawn grass and it only needed cutting four or five times a year. He said look around your community and you'll see your roses and magnolia trees and a whole lot of bamboo bushes that came from your property. You haven't seen it in the spring and I won't be the one that is seen here cutting that down. He was standing his ground and said NOPE call someone else.
Someone on here mentioned a app called Picture this for plants. So I went to every plant to find out what was on the property. I started asking questions but like I said no one was going to tell me anything. The only thing that was said was from my realtor that people came from all over to get plants. I asked what plants and he said he didn't know.
I'm new to the community and establishing new roots not plant roots was not something I had ever imagined I would be doing. Call it whatever you want but I'm here for a reason.

A good first step would be to confirm the ID's you got from the ap. There's a forum on here for ID'ing mystery plants:
https://garden.org/forums/view...

By bamboo, do you mean "heavenly bamboo?" If so, hate it as much as you want. It's invasive in AL. So is the tallow tree.

I've never seen an AL lawn that can go with such infrequent mowing, but if you're up north, I have no comparison to offer. I'm just a few miles from FL border. In any case, it should be mowed when you decide it's time for it to be mowed.

It sounds like you might have some crazy plant people popping by. Almost all of us, I mean them, are harmless. ; )

Purpleinopp I was here only a week and had two people stop by. One was a young lady getting married in June and asked to be put on a list for some Snowball flowers for her wedding. Which I had no clue to what she wanted but took her name and number and now that I know what it is I will call her and tell her she can come get them they might be in bloom. The second was carnations for Mothers day. Well I still do not know what is in some of these beds because I arrived here in Mid October and most stuff was dead so if they pop their heads out in the spring I will give him a call. I will give both the clippers and let them have at it.
Korean lawn grass I had never heard of it either. So Google tells me it is a rich slow growing grass and I must say it is thick and green and in three months here not even a weed has poked through it.

I'm a firm believer if you move to a new community, you must become an asset to that community not a liability. Yes it is a small community with two stop lights and two cops.

This sounds like the beginning of a fascinating journey! I look forward to hearing more about this as time goes by.

Where I live is barely bigger than that. ; )

Rachel1010, sounds like the yard man gave you some great advice! The history sounds interesting. Glad to hear you are there to stay. Now is the time to as Tiffany stated take the app and learn. The previous owner didn't think about selling or dying if this wasn't mapped out. Sorry! You might want to put an ad or flier out that you want these plants to go to good homes. I bet folks will flock there to get them, this way you know they will be going to good homes if you want to get rid of them. Then when you have them gone it's the time to make the property yours own, that is pretty much what the lawn guy is saying. It would be a loss to the community. I know it's important to some and the community. But I also understand progress and making it your own. The stories I can tell you will make some upset, you are not alone.

Thanks for the added information. It sounds like the grass wasn't important to the previous owner who did trees propagation.

Hmm.
It may be that some people don't realise that the ownership of the house has changed and if they do, some don't appreciate that you might not have either the propagation ability, or, have the time and interest to want to carry on the tradition.

It was very convenient for many in the past to have this no doubt "free" facility, but you are in no way obligated to continue it.
Don't make a rod for your own back.
It might prevent any confrontation if you put up a notice by your gate to the effect that you are a new owner and regret that you do not have the skill or the time to continue with this previous practice.
If you do something for one, it'll get around and everyone will want something.

Hello from north central Alabama St. Clair County. Your property sounds amazing but I'm one them crazy plant people. 🙂
What plans did you have to do on property, did you intend to landscape or be minimalist with lawn only? Might be helpful to wait if possible to let a growing season pass and mark anything ya wanted to keep. The previous owners hobbies, and commitments where his journey in life not yours. Now that you know the history and folks expectations of the property how does it all make you feel? If you feel antsy, and overwhelmed thinking bout it, if it all makes you have feelings of dread then amending your feelings is more important than appeasing others. Check with the Master Gardeners program in your county extension office. They usually have two plant sales a year to raise money for the program also local gardening clubs do the same. They would come and get most off what needs dealt with I'm sure, and you get the bonus of meeting great folks and gaining knowledge and possible ideas from them. In the end I doubt the old fella would want this to be a burden to you and would tell ya it's ok to let go. If your in the Tuscaloosa area I have a friend there who would probably come and give some stuff a new forever home on his property. If you are close to Ashville St. Clair County I would be happy to come and i.d. things and suggest usage. Hope ya find the answers you seek and they foster feelings of contentment.🙂

HoodLily ~ my plans I have for the property is utilizing it for my art creations. This home was perfect for allowing me covered space and workshops for CNC lazer cutters and large scale art pieces. I never really noticed the yard because I never grew plants. Of course I want a nice yard just not all the maintenance of plants. I'm closer to Tuscaloosa about a hour west and yes your buddy can come thin out this herd and maybe if he is into plants can tell me what is poking their little green fingers out of some beds.
My feelings at this point is not upset the community. We live in a time where you need your neighbors to be real neighbors and if you need help they will be there. Small towns talk and if you make one mad they are all mad. By saying that I only hope they will accept me the way I am and if the property looks different in a few months or over a year or two gradual change I think they will accept. I do not have the knowledge on how to keep these plants and bushes healthy so I'm here to learn until the lightbulb goes off in the brain and then I will know what to do.

I'm not sure I would generalize that much about attitudes. Like anywhere else, a small town will have a mix of those.

The people around there would be the ones with the most info to share. Maybe some pics to show you of the yard in its heyday.

Until weeds invade, or unless stuff was planted with no room to grow, there should be little to no maintenance required for shrubs & trees. You just enjoy the shade and privacy they help create, probably some blooms at some point, or pretty fall leaf colors. They are probably giving homes to squirrels, various birds, whatever runs around the neighborhood. A big empty expanse of mowed area can't compete, as far as being interesting and active.

If there are smaller plants that have gone dormant for winter, you can decide to keep them when they have grown back enough to show you who they are, or you can give them away or mow over them and forget about them. As said, you don't have to dig up plants to give them away. Somebody will be happy to bring their own shovel and take them away. If you do that, any talk about you will be how nice and considerate you are, to see that the plants people loved were shared with the neighbors.

If you put pics of them on the Plant ID forum I linked before, somebody here should know what they are. It's less confusing if you do a separate discussion for each type of plant.

I'm not sure what the problem is. Is the house under some sort of (historical) protection? Are the trees? I don't know the laws of your country/state/county, but unless it is, no one has any right to tell you what you can or cannot do with your own property (F them I'd say).
It's okay to be considerate, but if that means you have to look/care for something that you absolutely DON'T care for/want/like, no one has a right to force that upon you.

The law in my country states that a tree for instance (planted by you or not doesn't matter AND EVEN IF IT'S ON YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY!) can't legally (aka with a permit) be cut down if the trunk circumference is 100cm at 1m height.
Same with houses. If they are of historical/cultural significance, there's a bunch you can't do to it, even if you own it (like demolishing a wall to expand)

The community? You don't owe them anything, remember that. They can always move away themselves in hopes of freeloading somewhere else.

I might be the only one saying this, but I wholeheartedly agree with the landscaper who refused to cut everything down. Give yourself time in the property to get to know the plants, trees, shrubs and any flowers growing. I think you'll be amazed at how maintenance-free many of them can be. It would take 20 years to get taller trees again if you change your mind.

I would try talking to your neighbors again. Explain that you're new to gardening and would love any insight they have about the existing trees and shrubs. They might be more willing to open up if they realize you're not going to raze everything to the ground.

And from your neighbors' perspectives, I'll also add that when my neighbor had to move 2 summers ago (that I absolutely loved living next to, we still keep in touch and visit), the new owners came in and within a month cut down everything in the front and back. This includes 20 year old rows of beautiful peonies, daylilies, a lilac bush in the back, a row of 8 alpine currants between my driveway and their house, and all front evergreens planted around the foundation. There are 2 trees left, only because the back one is too large for them to cut down without costing an arm and a leg, and the front one is on the parkway, owned by the city. I'm on friendly terms with the new neighbors and will stay that way, but I'll never be close to them. I get a horrible feeling every time I look at their yard, reminded of what was there. Nothing was planted in place of what they removed, so there are just wide swaths of dried dirt and weeds all summer that they don't take care of. It's depressing to look at.

Don't be that neighbor. Yes, it's your property, but at least have a plan if you want to change the landscaping and not just tear everything up without knowing what's there and what you want.