Having a blond moment

Know I should know what this is but can't remember. The shrub was here when we moved here 10 years ago and judging by what's around it I reckon the shrub is about 40 years old. I am in the process of totally renovating the bed this shrub is in, and want to find out if it will respond to drastic pruning or not. It's about 20 ft tall and looking pretty tatty. Maybe like so many variegated shrubs it's on the tender side and doesn't do well here. Part of it has all but reverted so that bit will come out if I can get it out as know only too well if I prune it that bit will grow even better! If it will respond to a drastic haircut it stays and I'll give it a 2nd chance if not it's coming out.Hope someone can help. Thanks.

 

looks like a Buddlia to me & a good pruning won't hurt it

 

Hello Silu. It looks a bit like a Photinia davidiana to me. The RHS website says it, along with other Photinia species, can be pruned hard back to a low framework. They always look a bit leggy to me, no matter where they're growing but giving it a good hard chop should help bush it out a bit.

 

Well done Garden Monkey and thanks. I thought it reminded my of my other Photinas. It's posh name is Photina Davidiana Palette, well that's what a search on the web tells me. It will get a serious chop and feed and see what that brings. None of my Photina (all inherited) do that great here as probably a bit too cold, but I'll give it till next year before I decide if it stays or goes.Thanks too RandyRos for your suggestion.