I just purchased a home that was previously owned by an avid gardener. As someone new to gardening, I have the pleasant task of trying to identify what the prior owner planted. So, I could use some help: #1 This is a shrub about 6 feet tall, and quite spindly (perhaps because it's being crowded out by another bush). The dried flower/seed head is from last year, and it's just starting to bud out this spring...quite late compared to everything else in my yard. #2 This is a perennial that is about 2 feet tall, also not very full. I think this is because it gets almost no sun. The yellow flowers are nice, but I only get 3-4 on this plant. Thanks in advance.
#1 is a Rose of Sharon. It does leaf out late, and blooms in late summer. #2 looks like a type of heliopsis - it would help to see the leaves. Some coreopsis look simlar. Either plant will produce a lot of flowers with a lot of sun.
Thanks for the help. I did some reading about the Rose of Sharon, and that sounds right on the money. As for the yellow flower, I've attached two shots of the leaves. Someone else suggested this was a kerria japonica. The kerrias apparently do better in a little shade, so I probably don't want to replant it in the sun as I was thinking of doing. However, I'm not sure what I need to do to get this plant healthier since it doesn't seem to be thriving where it is right now. I don't want to make the decision to move it until I have a better idea of what it needs light-wise. Thoughts?