Maybe not quite the right damage pattern for it but otherwise possibly Prunus shot hole, a fungus problem that is often seen on the 'Otto Luyken' cultivar (not what you have, you have the typical species) here.

Maybe try taking samples to an independent garden center, seeing if this rings any bells with someone there. Or if you are in the US trying your nearest USDA Cooperative Extension office, if you can get there during open hours.

Chlorosis is yellow leaves with green veins - not what you have.

The shrubs will not die before spring merely because they were not fertilized. Or because of this spotting.

really help to know where you are ...

have a soil test done ... before you go presuming the soil is lacking something ... its really better than guessing ... contact your county extension office for how to do that ... or the high end nursery can tell you ...

yellowing in winter .... hmm ... all kinds of things can be the cause... i wouldnt do much of anything.. until i saw how the new growth turns out in spring ...

speaking of which.. where are you ... and how have the last 3 seasons been ... drought in summer.. early hard frosts or freezes .. and what about winter ... ??????

basically ... all you have given us.. is color ... and that isnt much to guess on ..

ken

Fortunately it is not rust. You wouldn't want to be rusting on your laurels.

tj

Budda boomp pah-h-h!

good one junkie ...

how do you water them??

ken

We don't water them since they are 15+ years old. We watered them regularly the first 3 years or so. I thought that it wasn't necessary after they were established. Big mistake on my part? I had planned on pruning them down in the spring. I've read that these plants can be severely pruned. Is that correct?