We would be happy to help, but need some additional information, please. Can you send photos showing a whole plant with the symptoms as well as an affected branch? It is difficult to do a diagnosis from single leaves. I helps to see more of the overall site conditions. Any further information about the site and growing practices can be helpful too. Has anything changed about the site in recent months (getting more shade, poor drainage/wet areas, are the plants irrigated)?

Christa

Thank you for sending these additional photos. Your plants are called privets. We had a few reports last season about privet hedges shedding leaves, though we have not been able to concretely identify the cause. Sometimes a thrips (insects) or mites infestation may contribute to defoliation, but other sources of stress could as well.

The leaf spot is probably not responsible. This looks like a symptom of a fungal disease. There are several fungal leaf spot disease that affect privets, and they can be worse in wet years (like we're having so far with all the rain). We don't feel that at fungicide is warranted for this symptom, as it won't be able to cure an existing infection. Fungicides can only help to prevent new infections as spores land on leaves. An insecticide is similarly not recommended since we can't positively confirm any pest. 

It does look like you have some new leaf buds trying to push open on at least some of the bare stems. You could take a wait-and-see approach and see if you get full re-foliation, or you can try rejuvenation pruning, which is the drastic removal of all branches down to about a foot or two off the ground to force regrowth of new stems. If the root system is still healthy and vigorous, regrowth should gradually fill back in.

Since all privets are invasive plants in our region (none are native anywhere in North America, and multiple species have colonized natural areas in Maryland), we have not studied their pest and disease issues extensively, and would recommend replacement over attempts at treatment when plants decline.

For now, keep monitoring your plants for watering needs on a regular basis (both during droughts and to make sure there is good drainage/no standing water in wet periods). If you have a leaf blower (since the foliage is too small to rake out), blow out the fallen leaves and dispose of them to avoid having them harbor any pests or disease spores by lying under the hedge.

Christa

You're welcome. That sounds like a good plan! We do have a list of options for privacy screening plants that you could take a look at as you plan for future replacements.

Feel free to reach back to us if you have any further questions.

Christa