The bottom picture certainly does resemble my azalea leaves, so you've probably been lucky with new growth! But if I were you, going on what you said about your 'sick soil', I would move it asap!

the bottom one reminds me of a cotoneaster.

I agree with Seaburngirl, Paul. The leaves are arranged in too much of a distichous (alternating on only two sides of the stem, like elm leaves) pattern to be an azalea. Unfortunately, no idea what the top photo is.

Thank you for the responses - Im glad Ive found a site with such knowledgable and helpful people.
Ive looked up my Expert book and the 2nd one looks very much like cotoneaster salicifolius, so thats coming out.

Could the top one be a sickly vinca?

I hope not Cestina - I will keep monitoring it and if it is, it will be out in 3 seconds...

How sad, I love vinca and have spent ages trying to get some from my garden in England to take in the Czech Republic. Finally I have a few bits that have got going from the many scores I brought over.....

Nice purple flowers but its just way too invasive for the small garden I have. Ive only recently taken some out the back garden (sorry) and I dont think the leaf shape is the same as my unknown plant. I always thought that vinca was one of those plants that flourished everywhere ??

Vinca has opposite leaves (leaves always in pairs) so it's probably not that, Cestina, Paul. I suppose an azalea is possible, but it doesn't really resemble the ones I'm familiar with. Was it a deciduous azalea, Paul?

No it was an evergreen Tug.

Hmmm....