Looks like a garrya elliptica plant. This one is really nice.

Hi, I agree, with catkins that length, I would say Garrya elliptica 'James Roof', Derek.

Beautiful example of Garrya, looks fab...

Best specimen of Garrya I've ever seen!

Fantastic! Could you tell us when you prune it please? We have one outside our surgery that the contractors cut back each year just as the tassels are forming. I would love to tell them when it should be pruned, although I realise they might not take notice!

When do you prune it please?

Prune it immediately after the flowers have finished. This applies to all shrubs that flower in the first half of the year - they flower on wood made in the previous year.
Shrubs that flower in the second half of the year are doing it on new wood, and can be pruned in early spring.

Thanks for naming my shrub :o))
I just prune it hard late summer when the long catkins look dry & tatty, I keep it well pruned as I don’t want it to get too big, if anything gets too big I chop it back whether it’s the right time or not Lol been lucky so far :o))

That's lovely. Our local council cut an avenue of trees back a couple of years ago, just as they had come into beautiful new leaves - heartbreaking. They had few leaves and it took them ages to regrow.

I think councils do their pruning in the winter months as they are busy with cutting grass in the summer, at least that's what happens here in Bracknell. As you say, we are often robbed of spring displays because of this

That's a beauty. I have a 3 year old Garrya but have no tassels this winter. No pruning done but had tassels last winter. I thought it didn't like the summer but we had nowhere near the heat of the south last summer so it can't be that . So apart from no tassels mine is still looking healthy and hope for some next year.

What a beautiful Garrya! How old is this fabulous specimen please Lady Essex?

Now you’re asking, I really can’t remember at this moment, I’ll have a look in my photos to see when it wasn’t there to give me some idea, if I find out I’ll let you know?
I saw it in one of my pics that I took, that pic was 2010 but was quit big then, so I recon it’s at least 10 yrs ago?

Isn’t that a cracker?! I’m surprised it does so well after being pruned in late summer! But if it aint broke.....:)

Going by the book isn’t always right, the proof in the pudding is here to see :o))

That is exactly right Ladyessex...couldn't have put it better myself!

Ha! It looks a right mess now after all the winds we’ve had :o((

Hmmm..the weather last week was dire. But it was lovely while it lasted.