Thanks, saltcedar -- fast and accurate once again. Bahia, the gate leads to an unused alley, so I'd happily surrender it to a more pleasant vine. But as you said, these weeds aren't exactly desirable. Time to pull them.

No, the previous post/title was the mistake. This photo is the white-flowered vine (I already identified the lilac flower). Sorry for the confusion!

I love this forum! Where else would I get a response from an aucuba expert? Thanks so much fig_insanity! I am glad to hear it is a desirable plant - I have always liked it, but not paid much attention to it. We have lots of old garden shrubs which have survived since my DH's Great Grandparents or Grandparents planted them - they were great gardeners. My aucuba is an a back corner of the garden, under some trees, next to a tall fence. I laughed when I saw the care instructions that they should be in shade and a sheltered spot - no wonder it is so happy there! It gets no care except some extra water in our hot dry summers. Foliage is pristine. Of Course, it gets fed a lot with the leaf litter from the trees and all surrounding plants - amazing how forests, etc survive without anyone running around spreading fertilizer, isn't it? noseometer - I do think the second one is a laurel of some kind. I just smushed a leaf, and yes, it smells like bay leaves, but not as strong. To answer your question, the individual leaves are about 6 inches long and 2 inches wide. I did look at the pictures of pittosporum undulatum, and the leaves do look the same - evidently lots of plants have leaves like that! I have never noticed my what-ever-it-is plants blooming, but they are babies. I will pay more attention to both of thees plants, and take pictures if/when they bloom next. I will post them on here, and we can have more fun. Thanks all of you for your help - Jackie

Astlbe biternata. It's just a guess. Or possibly Aruncus dioicus.