Bump, is this what everyone else thinks too? It is about to bloom and I dont want some invasive.

Thanks for the replies everyone! >>the first almost looks like a crepe myrtle (is that flowers on the tips?) >>The first one does look like a Japanese Maple to me, although I wouldn't guess at the cultivar. Nope, no flowers. Here's a closeup of the leaves of the tree (best I can do at 11pm). I'm pretty confident it's a japanese maple, just not too sure on the exact variant. Five tipped, full green leaf, red seeds & brownish green branches. Leaves turn a crimson during Fall. >># 2 is burning bush-euonymus alatus >>All badly pruned! The bottom should be slightly larger than the top to allow sunlight to the bottom leaves, not like a vase. Wow. I just googled that name and was very surprised how red some of these get. Mine might change color in the fall, but not to that level of redness (I wish!). Good to know though. Is this what proper pruning looks like for these? More globe-ish? Thanks again. I'm just about to begin a re-do of the landscaping. Just purchased a nice Canadian Hemlock to anchor the far left side and Jean's Dilly Albert Spruce for the far right side by the front door step. Trying to decide if I should try pruning the overgrown yews back or replace... and whether to keep the #2 (burning bush-euonymus alatus). Problem is if I keep them, I need another to balance the area and I'm sure I'll never be able to buy that matches the existing two.

I don't think the first one is Gaura . Can you photograph the plant with foliage?

You put the insecticide in the top inch or two of the soil,it comes in granular form. As you water plant it dissolves and is drawn up into the plant itself, into it's system, the same was water and nutrients are drawn into plant. It is slower acting than spray but will kill mites which are persistent and sometimes hard to get rid of. They can be in soil also. This is a example of the systemic: https://www.truevalue.com/houseplant-systemic-insect-control-granules-8-oz?ctplacement=106039-44622122499&cid=gooshop But...sad to say. Unless plant has sentimental connections for you i would maybe "retire" this one and spend the money on a new one. But, if really want to keep it wait until spring to cut back, then cut back so stems are about 12", or wherever you want new leaves/branch shoots to start. If you look closely at stem you will see sections, horizontal "lines" , cut about 1" above that line with a sharp knife. If it works new growth will come from below that line. Be patient, it may take a month before you see any changes. It should work, can't guarantee. But it is kind of satisfying to rejuvenate a old plant. Better link to plant info: https://plantcaretoday.com/schefflera-arboricola.html ***I just made changes to this post.