We had freezing temps for 5-6 days with snow and ice staying on plant for 4 of those days. The plants look dead. Do I just cut them down to a foot or two. They look really bad. They are about 15 years old.
If you like their size, I'd wait and see if new growth comes in and replaces the brown foliage. You can check to see if the stems are still alive by scraping off some bark. If it's green, it is still alive. Check to see if the flower buds survived. You don't want to cut those off. If you have the newer types that bloom on old and new wood, you will only lose some of the blossoms if you prune now. Here is more:
Leaves are brown but a broken stem shows green Is there any hope before I destroy what's left?
Yes, there is hope since you have green stems. Here is how to take care of cold damaged plants:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-treat-frozen-plants.htm
I'm in zone 8, coastal South Carolina
They are best pruned after the first flush of bloom.
We live on the oceanfront.
They are not very salt tolerant. You do have some choices, however. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/seaside/gardening-salt-water-soil.htm
Salmon or pink in color or whatever I can get. Thanks
I did an Internet search and several nurseries came up that carried fashion azaleas. We don't sell plants or make vendor recommendations. Here is how to care for them:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/grow-fashion-azalea-shrubs.htm
4 azaleas out front. 2 look good and bloomed. 2 look dead. No leaves but when you check they are still alive. What should I do?
This article should help determine why your azaleas don't have leaves:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/no-leaves-on-azalea.htm
What is the best time of the year to cut back Azaleas
Pruning should be done between the old flowers fading and new blooms forming. If done after new bloom buds form, then you will not get blooms the next year.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/pruning-azaleas.htm