The **second photo looks like Hypericum**, commonly called **St John’s wort** — most likely a shrubby type such as **Hypericum ‘Hidcote’** or a similar variety. ### Why I think it’s Hypericum The clues are: - **Opposite pairs of narrow oval leaves** - **Fresh lime-green new shoots** - **Reddish-brown stems** - Small round **spent flower/seed capsules** - It’s an evergreen/semi-evergreen shrub commonly grown near houses and paths It would usually have **bright yellow, open, saucer-shaped flowers** in summer. The **first photo** looks like a mixture of tangled climber growth — probably your **Clematis montana** — growing through or over other planting, rather than the Hypericum itself. ## What to do with the Hypericum now In early October, I’d keep it fairly simple: ### 1. Remove dead or scruffy growth Cut out: - Dead brown stems - Crossing stems - Any damaged or diseased shoots - Old flower/seed heads if you want it tidier This improves airflow and keeps the shrub looking healthy. ### 2. Lightly shape it You can trim back any shoots that are flopping over the path or getting too large. Don’t worry — Hypericum is quite forgiving. ### 3. Save harder pruning for spring If it’s become too big, woody, or bare in the middle, do the main prune in **spring**, after the worst frosts. You can cut it back by about **one third**, or harder if you need to renovate it. Spring pruning works well because Hypericum responds by producing fresh new growth, which then flowers later in the season. ## If it has yellowing leaves A few yellow leaves at this time of year are normal. But if it is very yellow, the common causes are: - Dry soil near walls or paving - Poor soil - Waterlogging - Lack of feed - Congestion from climbers growing through it In spring, give it a mulch of compost and a general feed to encourage stronger growth. So: **yes, the leafy shrub is most likely Hypericum / St John’s wort.** Tidy it now, but leave any major reshaping until spring.