Azalea leaves naturally turn these colors before they fall. If you have been experiencing very dry weather, this has encouraged the azalea to shed its oldest leaves. This process duplicates the coloration normally seen later in the year.

Oh so this is normal for azaleas? It's actually very rainy these days. It's been raining every night even if it's only like an hour. And I forgot to say, this part of the azalea gets full sun. The others in the back are shaded by a tree. And they don't have the red leaves in them. So is it possible the sun could be doing this too?

Yes we have a couple of lacebugs on it as this azalea is in full sun but its not too bad. I can always buy ladybugs and have them murder those pests. Well in the pic it looks healthy.. but there are a lot of branch die backs compared to couple years ago. At least one branch dies every 2 weeks... is that normal for an azalea? 2 branches died this week

Branch dieback is usually caused by phytophthora or boytryosphaeria fungal infections. Hot humid weather followed by heavy or frequent rain tends to activate both, especially in areas where the drainage is less than perfect. Once symptoms appear, there is really no cure except pruning out the dead branches and hoping that the plant can outgrow the infection. In much of the country this continues to be a difficult year for these sorts of infections because of high soil temperatures plus drought plus erratic rainfall stresses.

So does that mean the whole azalea will eventually die from the infection? This azalea is doomed...

It is not necessarily doomed. Branch dieback is not nearly as serious as the collapse of the entire plant as can happen with some root rot diseases.

The yellow leaves I see are older, interior leaves. Perfectly natural for them to turn yellow and fall off beginning now. You plant looks very healthy.

Branch dieback can also be caused by kids, balls, or dogs. Can you see any damage to the branches where the dying begins? Are they being crowded out by other branches? Pics?

Mike

There is no damage other than lichens but yes there are like 8 azaleas planted pretty close to each other. I don't currently have pics but I'll take a pic of them when I get the chance and post it here

Oh but it is in full sun if that matters