Does the top plant have aromatic foliage? If so, it's Perovskia...Russian Sage. I love mine. Great bee and butterfly plant.

Hi & welcome to Gardenweb.

You could try your Hydrangea pic on the name-that-plant forum. It would help to include your zone and/or location in your profile info (which will cause the info to implant next to your name in your posts.) The zone finder can tell you what zone you are in. Rhizo who posted above is in zone 7a in Alabama, I'm in 8b in Alabama.

The wording of your post makes me think that these may be pictures you've found that may not have been taken in your yard or neighborhood in which case knowing where you are would be helpful to knowing if these plants are suitable to your climate but not helpful in ID'ing the Hydrangea.

The first plant is Russian sage, Perovskia. The second is a hydrangea - from leaf shape and flower form, Hydrangea arborescens, ie. 'Annabelle'.

Thanks guys, very much appreciated!