I planted some autumn carnation azaleas last September. In December, they started dropping their leaves, but I thought they were supposed to do that. They are planted under a large oak tree and get morning sun and then filtered sun the rest of the day. They have always gotten water. The soil is well drained and is not dry. We live in Charleston, SC in an area that used to be nothing but farms (mostly tomato), and we have very rich, dark soil. I haven't had the soil tested yet. The other day, I broke off a branch, and it was brown inside and brittle. Does that mean the plant is dead? I don't have much experience with azaleas, but I planted some formosa azaleas in the back yard the same weekend I planted the above azaleas, and they are doing fine. One of them on the side of my house was kind of neglected and it's the one that looks the best!! Please give me some guidance.