they would not die.. if you took them out of the pot.. shook off all the media.. and threw them on the driveway for a week ... lol

these.. either they got real dry ... and so lost a few leaves...

or ...

its september.. and they are starting to shuit down for winter ... they do die back to the ground ...

so get them planted.. asap ... and if you are in ground freeze area.. mulch them heavily in late oct or nov ... so they dont pop out of the ground in late winter ...

i see no real problem with these ...

ken

ps: look to the newer center leaves ... to figure out how the plant is doing today ... it is not uncommon for the to lose some of the older leaves.. due to some stress ... that happened weeks ago ... you can tell if they are older leaves.. by where they attach to the crown ....

It's not unusual for a few leaves to die here and there. Pluck them off and move on. Get those babies in the ground.

You can’t get better advice than these two have given you!

Thank you Ken, those are such wise pointers and advice. And reassuring. Thank you too popmama and djacob. I did plant them today! I know better what to look for now!