They also get a branch canker which can kill one branch at a time. Again, examine individual branches for a defect -- break; twist; sunken bark -- just below the wilted part.

Thank you for the input.

It is actually not one branch but 5 or 6 different branches. Those branches where the leaves are droopy and curled, the entire branch has gone awry. I took a closer look at the individual branches, but could not detect any difference from the healthy branches from the bark itself.

Should I cut off all the branches where the leaves have gone droopy?

• Branch or stem dieback in rhododendrons and azaleas can be caused by fungal infection, botryiosphaaria especially in rhododendrons. Reddish brown discoloration just beneath the bark is usually present, but not always. Branches should be cut away, disinfecting the pruners between cuts. There is not, as far as I know, any spray that will cure this type of infection once it has started, but check with your county extension service for recommendations of preventative treatment. There has been some progress in this area, I believe.

My rhodie is 10 or more years old. It has bloomed faithfully every year until this one. At this time the whole plant appears to be dying. It does have a few buds but the leaves are drying and curling . I did fertilize it in the fall with Rhodie fertilizer but it should be in spring growth now and not dying. Any suggestions on reviving it would be appreciated.

Fertilizer applied in the fall in most climates can cause late growth which does not have time to harden off before cold weather sets in. Without any idea of where you are located, it's impossible to know if so-called winter kill is possibly your problem. There are also several root rot pathogens that can cause the collapse of an entire plant, even a 10 year old one. Exact diagnosis from afar is not possible, but you can scrape away a bit of the bark on several stems to check for live green cambium. If it is present, you can try pruning back to live tissue and being patient. New growth may emerge in time.

You can also dig it up and move it to a different location, water and mulch. That gives you a good look at the rootball so you can see what's going on.

Where are you?

I am in Southern Oregon. Our winters do not usually get real cold but I was gone this winter and so may have missed some.

your pic is what my whole plant looks like. If you find the cause and the cure please let me know.

There are several possible causes for the kind of appearance shown in the photo - see first reply. If an entire rhododendron looks like the branches in question, however, it's about 99% certain that the rhododendron is dead and there is no possible cure. Sorry.

Mine did the same thing and when I cut back the dead branches they were filled with pill bugs. They arearent normally a garden hazard so I dont understand.