2x emerging plant IDs please

Anna33

I've got these two plants coming through that I can't manage to identify, so looking for some help, please.

The first I really recognise, but I cannot think what it might be. It's in totally the wrong place, squashed down behind another plant, so it needs moving, but I need to know what it is to know where best to put it.

The second is just a tiny shoot at the moment, about 5cm high max. It looks ominous, but I wondered if anyone recognises it from the tiny bit of plant showing at this stage.

And finally the ominous looking one (that could be perfectly innocent!)

Pianoplayer

Hello - I think the first one might be a hydrangea? Don't know the ominous one!

Busy-Lizzie

Could the 2nd one be Lily of the Valley?

Anna33

@Pianoplayer I had wondered about that, but it looks quite different to the one coming up on the other side of the garden, so had ruled it out. It's also in such a tight spot that if it is hydrangea, I don't know how on earth it has survived. It is pretty much on the roots of a big Ribes bush next to it.

@Busy-Lizzie Yes!! That's awesome, have just googled and that's it. I was looking at buying some for another part of the garden, so  might look into moving this to a more suitable spot. Or I might just leave it and enjoy it where it is...

Pianoplayer

I'm probably wrong! Hopefully one of the experts on here will help out...

Pianoplayer

I'm copying in @Silver surfer and @Dovefromabove who are so knowledgable!

Dovefromabove

Yes the second looks like Lily of the Valley 

Not sure about the first ... I'd like to see it again in a couple of weeks. 

Lyn

I think it’s a hydrangea, that’s just how they shoot after they’ve been cut to the ground, I’ve done  that to many of mine,  once they get leggy and scraggy its the best way.  They’ll flower beautifully the following year. 

Anna33

Thank you all. We only moved here 4 months ago, so there's been a lot of trying to identify what things are. Really surprised that someone planted a hydrangea there, it has no room, no light as it's squished between two other large shrubs, and I can't imagine how it has survived, but I will dig it out and give it a much nicer home with room to breathe!

Cambridgerose12

The second plant is definitely lily of the valley. The first one however appears to have old stems coming out of it that aren’t woody like a hydrangea. I’m wondering if it could possibly be Campanula lactiflora? It reminds me of that though without a scale it’s hard to tell. Do post again as it develops and we should be able to say more.

Garden Gnomess

I think the first one could be a Helianthus - something like Lemon Queen