Rhododendron budding but not flowering

Nigel80

I have a variegated leaf rhododendron that every year comes into bud but then during the 'flowering time' the buds take on a brown look and are easily picked off and are dead. The plant itself seems ok. But this year I have noticed that a couple of shoots have budded and now flowering but the leaves are the plain green.
I have fed the plant and watered.
The photos show the dead buds and the 'new ones"
Can anyone suggest what the problem is and if so how to resolve?
Thanks

Iamweedy

I think there are pests that damage the flower buds. Mine seem to have some damage. I would like some advice if anyone knows about it. 

Lyn

I think the cold snap may have caused that.
you need to snip of close that bit with plain green leaves with purple flower. It’s reverting back to wild. 

pansyface

Yup, frosted.

Fairygirl

If it regularly doesn't flower well - it may be that it's been  too dry last summer - late summer. Like camellias, they form their buds at that time, so make sure it doesn't get dried out at that time.
Frost, as the others have said, often causes bud drop though, and snip off the green as Lyn said. Variegated plants often do that, and you need to be vigilant to prevent the whole thing gradually turning.