I would say that the first picture is Peiris japonica, don,t know a common name, second one is Kerria japonica, I know this as batchelors buttons, hope this helps, Derekm.

First on is a Pieris 'Forest Flame' - Pieris japonica. Common garden shrub.

Second looks like Kerria japonica - an easy grown and looked after shrub. It looks better in shady corners as that makes it more compact.

Pieris is sometimes called Forest Flame.
Agree with Derek, but if you want to appear really knowledgeable then it is Kerria japonica flore pleno.

Great minds think alike!

Erm, can I just say that Pieris 'Forest Flame' is not a P japonica variety, it is a P. formosa variety. There are P. japonica varieties, such as P. japonica 'Firecrest' which look like this, with bright red new growth and white flowers. Whether it is that particular variety or not is hard to say. I think the common name for Pieris, if it has one, is Flame of the Forest, which might be why there's confusion over the varieties. P. formosa varieties require much more shade than P. japonica ones do.

Thanks for that folks... I'll do the GOOGLE thing and see what it gives me...

Your wife bought two beautiful plants there, Martyn! The Pieris does like to be in acid soil (not alkaline), so if your garden is clay, it would be happier in a pot of ericaceous compost . . . enjoy it. :)

The second very useful and beautiful shrub is Kerria japonica flore pleno and it spreads like mad. I would put it in a pot or at least be very aware that it spreads at an alarming rate if it likes where it is growing. Any stems that wander out of the zone you have allocated it should be gently pulled up and cut back to the main plant. Welcome to Goy by the way. For more info on this plant google this link http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/c255/kerria-japonica-pleniflora.aspx