Escallonia Hedge

it might be a combination of wind& salt damage. or it could be a fungal infection [lurgy, gosh i havent heard that term for ages :o)] It is normal for them to shed leaves periodically and they will go butter yellow before dropping.
are the black spots confined to a few leaves or lots of leaves?
perhaps some one else will have better advice for you.

Can you send a photo of the leaves it would help, as there are so many different types of spots!! it could be a difficiency, frost damage, root rot through water logging, but Escalonia is usually fairly tough. If the whole hedge is affected safer to see what the damage looks like than a shot in the dark.

This sounds just like the problem I'm having with some Escallonia 'Crimson Spire' that I only planted last year. Just a few leaves every time and most of the plant still looking healthy but it's very unsightly and I'm worried it will spread to the whole plant. I'm in a city, nowhere near the sea. I'd guess fungal problems but perhaps someone else can confirm. I've been wondering how to treat it.