The new growth of almost all evergreen plants is a different color than the old growth. Sometimes it's reddish, yellowish, light green, etc. You'll need to provide a better description of the plant/foliage. Better yet, take a picture for us.

Your description sounds like a Variegated Chinese Privet, also called Ligustrum sinense 'Variegata'. These are an invasive species in Florida (http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/parks/privet.html). They are virtually indestructible but in my opinion, a lousy tree/plant.

Carol

This shrub has the yellow top year round I have seen many of them so it snot just a "sick" plant.Most are up to 10 ft high and very full almost globe shaped.
Checked the Variegated Chinese privet photos and that is not it

I will take a picture and post

Can you tell me where you are seeing them?

I'm just north of Mobile.

Jcalhoun I am in Baldwin County on the eastern shore I see them in Daphne and Fairhope

My money is still on golden privet (variegated ligustrum).

They are not sick plants. The leaves on the top are always yellow because they get the most sun.

I haven't been able to find a good photo, either, or I would post it. Google Images hasn't culled good photos for this plant.

Am in Spanish Fort just north of Daphne. Have seen these impressive shrubs (bright yellow top/dark green bottom) locally for about fifteen years...healthy plants with what seem to be waxy leaves. They don't appear to be invasive in local landscapes.

Noticed a large one growing beside a back shed at Davis Nursery on Hwy. 59 in Summerdale. They may be able to identify it for you. If not, try Wilsey's Nursery south of Fairhope located on 181 (27) at Scenic 98 or Green Nurseries on Greeno Road (98 truck route) in Fairhope. Hope this helps.

Unfortunately, I have not been to the eastern shore in a few years. I wish I could remember them.

{{gwi:360809}}

{{gwi:360810}}

{{gwi:360811}}

The shrub pictured by love the yard is Ligustrum japonicum "Howardii", one of the many japanese ligustrum cultivars. I should say that it is 'probably' Howardii. It's not a variegated cultivar, but the new growth emerges as very yellow or yellow green, which will darken as the weeks go by.

Japanese Ligustrum have the larger, thicker leaves. Chinese privets and vicaryi privets (also very yellow) have foliage with a different texture. I will say that the Japanese Ligustrum are extremely 'popular', to the point of being over-used.

If the plant is kept sheared (as pictured), the new growth is never allowed to mature, but is removed frequently. Then, since such pruning always stimulates more new growth....more yellow leaves!

tdb, we're waiting on your images so that we can help identify your plant.