Having a Stupid Attack

Hi - there's a plant that's been in my garden since we moved in a couple of years back. I've always assumed it was a sedum because of its flowers - but now I'm not sure. It's quite a woody shrub and its leaves aren't fleshy as with the other sedum I have. Attached is a picture from July last year - there's one that I know is definitely sedum poking its head in on the left.

In previous years I've chopped it right back around now and its come back with gusto, but now I've not only got an attack of the stupids but at attack of nerves as I just looked at it and its starting to bud.

 

I wonder if the plant in question could be either a Virburnum or an Elder?

The plant on the left is indeed a Sedum, (S. spectabile) and understandable why they could get mixed up given the similarity of the flower heads.

 

Could it be a Spiraea?

 

I suspect you are right Sheal.. I was considering this, I thought Spiraea's only had cone shaped inconsistent flowers, but having googled they also can have slightly dome-like flowers.

 

I find they tend to have 'whispy' type flowers Stephen. I have a young one that I planted last year but is still yet to bloom.

Below are pictures of Spiraea and also Knautia Macedonica which is also a similar plant, but has more of a sprawling habit.

 

That's it - spirea! Ahh, I even remember being in the garden centre last year and seeing one and thinking "Oh, I've got that". Hmmm, less wine on the cornflakes, I think.

Thank you, you lovely people.