Individual branches collapsing in this manner, with others still remaining not visibly changed is often due to Phytophthora root rot. If that is what you have and so much of the plant is affected then basically it is a total loss at this point. Damage being so bad already could be explained by it coming from the outlet already infected.

What is the name of your rhododendron?

It's an Edith Bosley.

Many leaves fell off as well as the wilting. About 3/4 of the plant seems to be dead now. The branches around the perimeter are dead and only the ones in the center are doing well. Even if it survives, I will have an odd looking rhodo.

I called up the place where I bought it and they said to bring it back.

Now i am concerned that the place I put this plant may have a problem.

1) I planted it next to an old oak tree stump - would that affect the problem it had?

2) My neighbor, who is a good gardener convinced me that I should put leaf mulch on the top when I planted it. This is the only time I have ever done that. Could that be a factor? That is the only difference from the way I planted our other rhodos over the years.

Thanks.

I brought the plant back today and the expert there said it was Phytophthora dieback caused by all the rain we had. He scraped a little of the roots and they were still very healthy. When he scraped the stems, you could see they were rotted. Apparently all the rain and humid weather with the leaves and stems never getting a chance to dry for such an extended period of time provided the ideal breeding ground for the infection. I was glad he said the issue was not a planting issue.

Thanks for your help.