Most of my reply to your Azalea question applies to the Rhododendrons as well. Rhododendrons prefer shade over full sun and the brown leaves could very well be a case of serious sunburn. The dead branch was probably the result of damage during planting.
They need lots of water to get the roots established (I would be watering every other day until the heat wave ends)
Rhododendrons should be fertilized right after they finish blooming, but you should never fertilize any plant that is stressed or in shock!

General Rhododendron and Azalea care
Pruning Rhododendrons
Transplanting Rhododendrons
Rhody won't bloom
Rhody posts on The Gardener's Forum

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Tammy, I also use Holly-Tone on Rhodos and Azaleas in conjunction with Miracle-gro for acid loving plants and they thrive on it. Rhodos are well known for showing stress in their leaves and will wilt, turn yellow and/or brown when stressed out. They also do not like windy conditions, so take that into account. I also live in va. and this has been a very mild summer except for that two week period. It has also been a very wet summer so far. That was a pretty late spring planting for rhodos and they are probably just stressed and as Bill pointed out, in need of some root growth. Make sure they are mulched in really good with some fine pine bark as they have really fine root hairs at the soil level. I would use some of the Miracle-gro for acid loving plants as it is a fast acting Foliar feed and will help right away. You dont get much new growth after the end of june, so you are basically trying to get the roots developed. Make sure it is mulched really heavy in the fall to help it make it through the winter. Best of luck, Budman-

Thanks for the product names of the fertilizers. That will help alot. And the foliar spray information. I never knew that about the roots on a rhody. But you definitely described the way the leaves are looking. So we know we've got the correct diagnosis.

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The Holly-tone is more of a slow release fertilzer and is a great product. I have been using it for over twenty years with great results. The main reason I suggested the Miracle-Gro is that it is very fast acting and absorbs into the plant through the leaves if you pour it right over the top of the plant. It will also absorb through the roots. The holly-tone will not start working until it breaks down into the soil when watering or during a rain. On healthy plants I always pull the mulch away in the early spring and add a cup or two of Holly-tone. I push the mulch back over the base so as not to allow those fine root hairs to get dry. I do it again in the middle of June. I use a five gallon bucket and put four spoon fulls in it and fill with water. I pour that over a large Rhodo or Azalea or use one bucket on three smaller shrubs. I do this twice a year about a week before I put the Holly-tone down. It gives a nice quick pick me up after a long winter as my Azalea/rhodos sometimes look a little rough early on. They soon come on strong after that.

I don't, that was Budman.

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Terry

May the force be with you

Thanks Budman! Mine is looking pretty stressed out right now, but I think it's mainly because of the hot temperatures we've been having around here. Do you think it would hurt to give it some diluted to half strength to see it that would help? Sorry I got you mixed up with Terry!

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"Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless me, my family, my home, and my friends, in Jesus' name. Amen!"

Yep, thats why I only use it about twice a year in the spring. Just to give the plants a boost. I dont like to give it to them more than that as it also tends to encourage fungal growth and we dont want that.
To answer your question Patches, I would use it at half rate once just to see if it helps, but not more than that as you dont want to encourage new growth as it may not make it through the winter.

I heard that!!! I just went out for my daily afternoon walk and it was 104 degrees outside. Whew, at least the humidity was up..Ha,ha. Everytime I get home my hanging baskets and railing planters are all dried up and the plants look so pathetic. It is amazing how quickly they respond to some watering. If I miss one day, they will be cooked. Take care.