I wouldn't use RU that close to a sickly bush you are trying to save. Yes, after it blooms you should remove any dead wood and prune the living ones. Then you should water only. I wouldn't fertilize until next year. Perhaps you could add some organic material such as compost and mulch. That would encourage new growth from the base.

As far as the liarope, Just try to pull up what you can. It should be easier after this week since we are getting a lot of rain.

I agree with buford on all counts.

Thanks for your replies. There's no way I can pull up the liriope even with the soil being so wet- and I'm afraid that digging it will damage the roots of the azalea. I will prune the bush after it blooms and hope for the best. I'll post a picture if I can rejuvenate it. It's a gorgeous shrub when it blooms.