Healthy Azalea and Hydrangea Plants Dying in Sections

Question

Both my azalea and hydrangea plants look healthy, but one section at a time is turning brown and shriveling up and dying. No bugs appear on the leaves, nothing seems to be eating the leaves. Could something be eating the roots?

Answer 1

Possibly something is attacking the roots, in which case a soil drench would be in order. However, it could also be that not enough light or water is reaching that part of the plant.