Number 2, there are a few of these and they have clearly been planted in the wrong place at the front of the beds. They need moving so I need to know if I should be chopping them back at all and when I should move them.

Number 2

closer picture of Number 2

Oops sorry I meant the shrub for number two rather than the bluebells or the forget me nots.

number 3. This gets very dry in the autumn but tends to keep most of its leaves. It has masses of little yellow flowers

Number 4. Quite tall and straggly.

Is the top one a member of the pelargonium family?

Is the bottom one a Hydrangea?

This is another picture of number 4

If so, you can prune it to the bottom pairs of leaves after flowering to keep it bushy.

Actually Chook you might be right there. I have a large hydrangea elsewhere in the garden so I can compare leaves.

Hydrangea leaves are medium size, need an item to see scale. Might be something else.

#1... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcea_rosea

or #1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelargonium

That's helpful bubbasgma, neither of those.

#2 Tiny blue bulbs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyacinthoides_hispanica
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scilla

#2 Bush
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiraea

#3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potentilla

#4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrangea

Scale is hard to tell from your photos Shell. There are several varieties of both Hollyhock (grows tall) and pelargornium (mounding and low to the ground). An "image search" might pop up some photos that can help.

2 looks like cotoneaster ... Does it have little flowers which the bees love?

Great suggestion ASV.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotoneaster

Try this
http://www.shootgardening.co.uk/plant/identify

I have no clue re names but can tell you I have 2&3 in my garden.

2 has a sprawling habit but careful pruning encourages bushing, not much but some. I used 2 for the Christmas wreaths, looked very Christmassy - if it's what I have, you should see tiny red fruits from around Nov through Jan-Feb.

Btw, if it is what I have, it's not a cotoneaster unless it's a variety with very small leaves - the foliage on the ones at my house are a little bit bigger and as wide as my little fingernail.

No3, if pruned regularly, has a nice mounded appearance and doesn't seem to be much of a spreader as much as it likes to get a little wider and taller as the only plant. I've thought about taking cuttings to the new house and trying it as a lowish hedge. Comes in at least two colours:)

Number 3 looks like a Pontentilla bush.

2 is Lonicera nitida
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonicera_nitida

1 probably Alcea Rosea

3 Potentilla and I don't know 4.

Hi all. Back from BBQ rather the worse for wear. Pontentilla looks like a positive ID. Just about to check out the others.

cotoneaster looks good too. Cotton easter or cotone ee aster?

Oh hang on wikipedia has cotoneaster as having alternate leaves and lonicera as having opposite leaves. It might be lonicera

My landscape architect friend pronounces it co tone e aster.

Lonicera is a type,of honeysuckle,,except I think if yours is what you are thinking it is a baggensens gold type... But your leaves dont look very yellows green. http://davisla.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/plant-of-the-week-lonicera-nitida-baggesens-gold/

number 1 : looks like lavatera - if it has pink flowers it is Barnsley

Number 2: looks like Baggens Gold Lonicera

Number 3: Potentilla

Number 4: looks like a form of redtwig dogwood
Check out Oregon State Landscape Plants for pictures

Hi Shelley. You are getting a lot of help here. Have you considered taking cuttings to the nursery for them to look at?

Lavatera Barnsley for number 1! Definitely, thanks Lisa.

That's a good idea D. I think I'm just left with number 4 now.

I'm wondering if #4 is some kind of Cornus. Does it flower?

Check Choisya for 4

Or magnolia?