Camelia and azalea both dead?

The camelia just started to flower this year and then just seemed to die. Also my lollipop azalea made it through the winter and then also looked to give up.

Should I leave them and see if they come back next year, or is it a waste of time?

 

I think those have had it.
I've never seen Azaleas grown as standards. I'm not sure it's a particularly good method of growing them.
The damage may have been done last year, or when planted, if the soil wasn't ideal, and if they were pot bound or similar. Both of them need good neutral to acidic soil, plenty of water [rain if you have poor tap water] but also decent drainage. If they have a lot of competition from other planting - especially hedging/shrubs/trees, that will also affect them.
Some cope with more variable conditions, but generally speaking, that's what they need, and it's important that they don't dry out during late summer, as that's when the new buds are forming.

 

They probably died last year and have just been hanging on.
It would be interesting to know when you planted them and if you watered well last summer.

 

The camelia has been there for 6 or 7 years and the azalea for 2 years. Both were thriving with plenty of care from myself. (that's probably what did for them)

 

Dying while still carrying leaves isn't a good sign. As it sounds like you looked after them well, I'd suspect a disease like phytophthora or Honey fungus may be playing a part in their demise.

 

Seems strange that other plants are still alive around them.

 

Quite. One of which is another Azalea by the look of it, so it's not likely to be soil pH

 

You may well be right, pete. Looking closer, I think the tie to the little stake looks a bit tight on the azalea and wonder if it strangled itself? The tie etc. should have been removed long ago.

You could cut a branch on the dead camellia and look for any staining inside the wood, which is a sign of phytophthora.

 

Oops. That could be an expensive mistake.