Shrubby thingamajig I'd please...

[sloth]

I have this at the bottom of my garden, and have no idea what it is! It looks familiar, but I can't place it. I've only been in this house a year and a half, but it looked just the same last year too - slightly twisted sick looking leaves, and bud clusters that fail to fully open. I don't know if this is just how it should be, or if it's struggling for some reason.

Any ideas?

[Beardie]

Cotinus coggygria, suffering from Verticillium wilt. I thought the last photo was of witchhazel, but that flowers in winter. No, it's your poor plant's stunted attempt to produce the clouds of blossom which give it the common name of Smoke Bush.

[sloth]

Ah, could well be cotinus. Cheers...