This is a tender plant, but I really love Iresine herbstii (chicken gizzards, or beefsteak plant) for it's bright red coloration. I also really love the tender Alternanthera 'Grenadine', and it's coloration is similar to Iresine herbstii, but it died on me; so I'm in the market for another one. I'm also interested in trying Alternanthera 'Brazilian Red Hots', but I hope it would go with a cool color scheme. There could be an orange undertone in it, and then I wouldn't be happy. Alternanthera 'Gail's Choice' and 'Purple Knight' are both too deeply colored for me. They look like a black hole in the garden. I like Amethyst Myst heuchera in the Spring, but it greens up on me in a major way in the Summer. I'm going to move it more into the shade, and I'm hoping to find an equally reddish (instead of deep purple) heuchera for the sun (until 2pm) to take it's place. I've looked at Plum Pudding, Frosted Violet, and Sparkling Burgundy, but they all strike me as deep purple. I tried Persian Shield, but it takes so long to look good after losing all it's leaves in the winter, that I'm not as enamored with it as I used to be. I saw another tender plant with the same metallic purple coloring as Persian Shield, but the leaves are more shaped like a maple. I sure wish I could find out what that plant is.

billd_bmw, Growing them in containers has it own pros and cons. Pros: You can control the soil mix, and the drainage. You can move the tree around to the best suitable position in terms of sun and wind. Cons: You need to really keep the watering schedule. The trees need regular repotting and root pruning. You may not be able to bury the pots if you have clay soil. Look into a raised bed as an option. Most of my trees are in 7 gallons size, I have a few in the 20 - 25 gallon size, and some smaller. I do not want to go more than 25 gallon size, as it get very heavy. I grow all my trees in grow bags (smart pots). I place these bags in clay containers, or whatever containers I can get for cheap. Large containers, even clay one are expensive, I usually get ones that have hairline cracks in them for a few bucks and fix the cracks. They usually hold up pretty well since the root bag takes all the pressure of the soil etc. With the 15 x 15 place, you can probably some nice raised beds. You can try one large bed, or many smaller beds different shapes, using pavestone, etc. or plant on a mound and companion plant around the mound. xman Here is a link that might be useful: Smart pots

Well, I can't seem to connect to site with your pics. Regardless, your problem could be any of the above. I would not rule out Jap beetles if you have feeding damage on the leaves, too. Organic (or any) amendments, when used in individual planting holes, inhibit root establishment, meaning more water more frequently to get by the soil interface between coarse amended soil and finer native soil, or a double interface between the above and the coarser potting medium if your's was grown in a container in the nursery. How often are you watering? How much are you applying? Is there mulch around the tree?

Allen, I guess its my turn to deliver the bad news, Just say good by to the branch. With out roots it can't take up moisture or nutrients. The wood has already dried out hence the leaves browning. Other buds will brake in spring and in a little time the damage won't be noticeable Ron