Is it a 'Purple Splendor'? Perhaps spelled with an -our?

Azaleas would have to have been infested with lacebug for a long time to be completely white. It is perfectly possible for them to die from that kind of pest takeover. It appears that the new growth is infested, as well.

Are these plants in the full sun? Do you happen to know how long they've been planted?

No, I don't know how long they were there. Years, I am assuming.

This will be our third summer in the house. THe first year we moved in mid summer and last year was our first full summer (this is our second full summer). I completely neglected our yard last summer. My baby was born in June and two weeks after my oldest son was hospitalized for 3 weeks... so the plants were the last thing on my mind. I noticed half way through the summer that they did not look green but did not get out till a month or so later (and then they were white!). That's when I treated them with incecticide. Maybe I'll do that again tonight.

How can you tell that the new growth is infested?

The plants are in full sun.

thanks for your input!

The lace bug damage is going to be worse on plants in full sun, and if those plants are stressed for other reasons too...your first summer in your house sounds like it was full of distractions (and legitimate at that :))...perhaps not watered regularly?

It would be better if you didn't spray while in bloom (protect bees), and - what were you using for an insecticide, are lace bugs on the label as target pests?

I'm not sure what part of the county you might be located in. In the south eggs begin hatching in late February producing lace bug populations in March, April, and May. A second generation occurs in July, August, or September, depending on location. This generation lays the overwintering eggs in October.

If you are going to spray, spray should be timed for the first appearance of adults or nymphs in the spring just after the blooms have faded. Two applications or more may be needed. Systemic insecticides are most effective, and one application may be enough. Nonsystemic insecticides require thorough coverage of the undersurfaces of the foliage (making spraying more difficult), and as noted, more than one application may be required for complete control.

You have small children, you may have this as an ongoing problem with azaleas sited in full sun and find yourself spraying more than you want to use a chemical in your yard. If you had someplace shadier to move the azaleas, or damaged as they are, even discard them and replace with plants more suited to carefree growing, you might just find your yard with your busy schedule a little more maintenance free, at least while your children are needing so much of your attention.

Do you know the name of the insecticide you used?

The bug killer name is Sevin and it has lacebuge listed on the label.

I thought more about how much sun they get and they are shaded until 12:30, 1 or 2 pm (I'm still figuring out, sorry), then they have sun till 6 or so, then shade again. The red one is right next to our door and gets sun till later, but I'm not sure how much. So maybe they are part-sun? (BTW, I'm in MD)

I never did see lace bugs on the plants or eggs (or could not ID them) and so I was only guessing b/c of the white leaves. :s

Many people cannot 'see' lacebugs due to their interesting camouflage. What is seen, however, is the result of months of feeding seen by the loss of chlorophyll as well as the blackish fecal droppings on the underside of the leaves. They are truly difficult to spot as they remain very still on the underside of the leaves. You would not be alone in overlooking them.

Sevin is not a good choice for pest control. One reason is that this particular insecticide is well known to cause an unwanted population explosion of other pests, especially spider mites. I wonder if your azaleas might not be suffering from those, too. Sevin is also one of the most toxic of all pesticides to bees and other pollinators. Sevin is also a wide spectrum pesticide and is harmful to any beneficial insects that may be trying to help you control real pests. It's deadly to earthworms and harmful to other non-target wildlife. Last but least, it is a cholinesterase inhibitor, which makes it a true hazard for warm blooded animals....like you.

Sevin should never be used around households with the elderly, those who are on medications that stress the liver (just about all of them), the young, pregnant, men or women trying to have a family, pets....the list goes on.

You honestly have two choices, in my opinion. Azaleas respond wonderfully to what is called "rejuvenation pruning". This procedure calls for cutting the plants ALL of the way back to the ground...leaving stumps no greater than 6 inches (or less). Shocking? Yes, at first, but your azaleas (if they are still alive and have any energy left) will respond with amazing growth in a short time. Pest free growth, as long as you keep up with the lacebugs. I've recommended renovation pruning for azaleas (and lots of other kinds of woody plants) hundreds of times. It can be hugely successful.

Your other option is to clip a few of those dead looking branches to see if your plant is mostly dead at the bottom or just sulking. If dead....they should be yanked and put to the curb. If not dead, cut them to the ground and let them regrow.

I've had the most luck controlling these pests by using applications of horticultural oil at various times of the year. Oil applications must be applied to the underside of the leaves, where the adults, eggs, and nymphs hang out. Horticultural oils are considered safe to use around children and pets. They work by physically smothering the pest (all stages) rather than by poisoning.

I will *never* use Servin again. I love bees and don't want to harm them. :(

I did check one of the lower branches and they are still green. I followed it up to the tip, breaking off at intervals going up, and found that the branches are only dry the top 3 inches.

Once the blooms fade I will follow your suggestion about pruning. I had actually thought about it before, so you just confirmed it.

It sounds like lace bug. If it is, the back side of the leaves will have the bugs and lots of their excrement. If you spray, you have to spray the back sides of the leaves. It is best to move the infested azaleas to a more shady location. You need to buy plants that are suitable for sunny locations to avoid this problem.

Here is a link that might be useful: Azaleas for sunny locations.