Magnesium or iron deficiency? Vitax Q4 has lots of trace elements; might be worth a try.

Have you fed it lately Stera. if not then that's the most likely problem.

Epsom salts as a quick solution to magnesium deficiency but a proper feed as Jimmy suggests is better.

You can get handy little tip sheets, to print off or bookmark, with diagrams showing the effects of different micronutrient deficiencies. One of those things that are really handy very occasionally☺
Bit trickier to diagnose if it's a variegated type...
Could the ground under it have become too compacted? That wouldn't help nutrient uptake.

Will try feeding then, but the leaves are not yellowing all over the bush. Wouldn't a deficiency affect the whole plant? Admittedly I have never fed it on the grounds that is is quite big enough to fend for itself - its taller than me...
Its surrounded by Epimedium so a feed wouldn't hurt!
Darren the yellowing is more beigey - quite different from E.pungens maculata

If you have a high PH, then the magnesium and iron will be locked up, sorry I know this isn't news to you. What I can say is that I used to get this on my Escallonia 'Iveyi' and that yellowing always appeared on the lower leaves.

I would just add that Elepaeagnus is not fully hardy, so if its only affecting some parts...could it be cold weather damage..or indeed wind damage to the stems?

Trouble is it doesn't really look like deficiency yellowing and its not generalised either.. Must try to sort the camera and get a photo.

Perhaps it got sprayed....from the road, or a neighbour, or a farmer?

Good idea but not possible where it is. Really must try to get a pic.

Update; oh dear its is now quickly spreading over the whole shrub. Looks as though its on its way out. That will make a huge gap in the border and alter the whole feel of it. Will Griselinia take being trained as a big shrub do you think? I've only seen standards)

Yes, Griselinia is fantastic. I have the golden variegated form and its very bright and cheerful. And they do take a good prune, but they also make a big shrub in a few years.

Thank you! So just looked it up and it says it wants to be west or south facing. If I had one it would be east facing - wonder what difference it would make?

I would miss the highly scented little flowers on the Eleagnus but if it dies it dies,alas.

Interesting. In my first home I grew one on an East facing site and it did beautifully well. I had to keep pruning it back because it grew so well. However, it was only a couple of metres from my house wall, so it had protection on its West side, and we had an open aspect to the South also.

Thank you for the encouragement. Its got some mature trees behind it so they may help. I haven't given up hope yet though - who knows? I just wish I knew what's happened.

Put a picture on...it might help us work it out.

Well now. Just got around to admitting that the browning leaves were only what an evergreen does in Spring,which I didn't think of it at the time. (Hides blushes in hands...) Its fine now. Sorry to have wasted your time folks.

CStera...I remember the first time I saw the new growth on mine too...and I thought it was sick. Don’t worry...we’ve probably all been there! Thought did occur to me, but didn’t want to seem cheeky!

Haha Karen - I know what you mean - but really any suggestions welcome. I feel very silly...