Anyone up for IDing a couple of shrubs?

[MerylSqueak]

I've tried the plantsnap app and I think the one in green leaf is Myrtle. No joy on the other one, which I really want to know how to prune. It's rather too leggy and it's clearly been pruned before but the cuts are rather ugly. I'd like not to do more of the same but would like to do it before it really gets growing.

Thank you!

I don't think I can help much in identifying but be careful. A lot of shrubs flower on last years growth so you'll miss this years flowers if you prune too soon.

Hope someone comes along with more.

I'd take a gamble on forsythia.

Yes the buds do look very like but it's much more woody than other forsythia I've had.

Maybe they were just smaller

Agree that the larger deciduous shrubs are Forsythia, in which case, don't prune now as they will flower very soon and pruning will, obviously, remove any flower buds. There is also, on the far right of your second picture, what appears to be a cherry, just coming into flower.
The evergreen, in your first picture, could, just could, be Sarcococca (Sweet Box), but, to be honest, could be one of many things! Any chance of a clearer, close up picture?

This is the box or Myrtle closer up.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Looks very much like Sweet Box, has it recently flowered with a very strong, sweet smelling aroma?

No it hasn't flowered yet. It's not very dense or compact if that helps.

I’d also suggest Forsythia for the first one, mine is very old and woody.
I’d wait until they flower then prune back to the shape you want. That way you enjoy this years flowers and make strong new growth for next years flowers.

@MerylSqueak

No it hasn't flowered yet. It's not very dense or compact if that helps.

Surely that’s a flower in the picture. Yes, Sarcococca, Sweet Box, not the same as Box although it is in the same family.

As a general rule of thumb, prune after flowering (unless you want berries). So wait until what we think is Forsythia has flowered. I think there’s a hint of yellow in that picture.

Noidea of the second bush,except as @Beekeeper1 says, the one on the right of it appears to b

…. be a flowering cherry

Isn't that a flower? Looks like a sarcoccus flower to me!

It does look like a flower! I hadn't noticed. It must be just coming in!

The one on the right is a witch hazel which is in flower and is a delight.

Yes that's Sarcococca and I agree with PP that it looks like forsythia to me- they can get pretty woody

@MerylSqueak

It does look like a flower! I hadn't noticed. It must be just coming in!

The one on the right is a witch hazel which is in flower and is a delight.

Box has tiny flowers, mine have been out for quite a while. So they might be going over rather than emerging. But if it's sweet box your nose should be able to confirm it!

Forsythia flowers very early so wait and prune it right back after flowering.

Yes, I agree with a pp to prune forsythia after flowering. Pruning shrubs at the wrong time of year can mean no flowers.

Spring flowering shrubs produce flowers on the previous year's growth, so you prune them immediately after flowering. Then they have all summer and autumn to produce more branches and flower buds for the following spring.

Summer flowering shrubs are pruned in early spring because they flower on the current year's growth. Roses being an obvious example of this.