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yeah that looks like a Deutzia.
feedback rather than criticism but it also could be pruned a bit better after it flowers i.e. within the next few weeks.
the reason it branches out half way up is cos that's where you pruned it last time. if you cut out one in three of those stems to within 6 inches of the ground you will have new growth from the ground up and flowers at head height rather than bare branches at head height and flowers/growth at ten feet next year.
MTB-Idle-
feedback rather than criticism but it also could be pruned a bit better
That's really helpful.
The last pruning was done with mini-H in a sling and quite rushed. Since then I've been struggling to find a guide on pruning them. It can grow a fair bit, so mainly I don't want to be a dick neighbour.
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e. if you cut out one in three of those stems to within 6 inches of the ground
Having a look at it this morning, and what I think will be tricky is dealing with the front ones without ending up with an aethticaly worse situation than now - ie displaying more bare branches.
Not sure if this photo conveys it.
I'm wondering about taking some of the front ones down to ~4ft where new growth is showing, then following your advice on the other bits.
hugo7
Totally get having a simple space to run etc. You could always look into creating some sort of shape or maybe a gentle grass slope to a terrace - if that makes sense? Then there will be something to run, roll down, sledge down, etc. and you could even shape it to be a sort of green sunlounger on the southside. Remember he'll be walking for a lot longer than he'll be learning to walk. Also select a tough grass rather than a fine nicer looking grass.
I'm trying to find a photo of our Northside in summer but can't. So this isn't the best picture and I don't know what the plant is called in the second, deutzia I think - but it looks good in summer. If you like hydrangeas they do well. Also we have a rambling rose which works well now it's grow, as there is enough sun at the top of the fence (although it's brother on the sunny side is about x4 the size. Personally I would just have a few spaced decent size plants rather than a bed. That way you keep the visual width to the north fence in places, but it's broken up.
Something to think about is year round interest. We inherited most of our garden and it's really lacking in winter. Early spring these daffs look amazing in a bit clump, but otherwise it's only now that it's coming round.