reminds me of laburnum. that's the best I can dredge from my memory. what are the backs of the leaves like? furry, smooth etc?

are you discovering the joys of your new garden? I hope you are not disappointed.

I take it that it's an evergreen and this is an up-to-date picture. Cytisus battandieri - Pineapple Broom Tree would be my guess.

It reminded me of both of those which is why I asked. BUT did not think the Cytisus self seeded all over the place as this has done.

Backs of the leaves are very slightly downy. Found some seed pods on the soil so think it is most likely Laburnum.

How about Piptanthus laburnifolius? It has SBG's leaf suggestion and comes easily from seed. Otherwise, I give up. I have been struggling to remember this plant from an oddment in my local garden centre. Don't forget to post the name if you manage to discover it. Good luck!

I doubt if the previous owners of this property went in for rare and unusual shrubs, so Piptanthus may be a little recherché for here. Thanks anyway, will keep you posted.

Having seen Laburnum trees in a recent visit to a garden I can postively id this one as Laburnum.