I find the mulch of crushed stone or chick grit is the most help on rotting as it prevents splash back of soil on the rosettes and keeps a cooler root zone.
Pots warm up much more than plants in the ground so I would go to that if that's a possibility.
Some rotten leaves are typical at this time of year and again in spring after a long wet winter. Although I don't clean my plants of these leaves, others are more meticulous about removing them to prevent rotting of the whole rosette.
I have a friend in Richmond VA who grows them very well in your area in raised beds.
Kevin
