DO NOT TRIM, the leaves might be dead but the branches are not, they appear to be fine. The branches, including the leader will send out new leaves. Just plant in ground and watch during spring. If a tree big or small gets too little water or in your case probably overheated (because you watered) it will protect itself and lose its leaves kinda like it's fall. My guess is the soil and pot got too hot, and you might have even scorched it by watering it when it was so hot, instead of allowing the pot to cool down first. Just plant in ground in fall first, then wait till spring to see what branches leaf out, then if you like trim the ones that didn't. If you want, you could mist the branches that have brown leaves on them just to keep them moist till the first frost.

Radar, that is GREAT news! I am SO happy for you! (To answer a question that you had asked previously: temps in the 40s will have no effect on seedlings. I have mine outside year-round except when there will be a hard freeze. Bulbs in the ground with some mulch can easily tolerate a freeze, but bulbs planted in pots or seedlings in trays cannot. I also bring them inside if there is a threat of frost. Otherwise, outside under the large oaks. Happy, happy, happy. For anyone reading this forum regardless of zone, if your weather is beyond threat of freeze or frost, try putting your bulbs and seedlings outside in a lightly shaded area. You won't believe how well they do. Carol

I have no information about your E'Spirit but I've longingly eyed the Mystica for 2 years. I'm a sucker for that dark foliage with light flowers. It's listed as deer/rabbit resistant on most sites but so is Sedum and deer, rabbits and groundhogs have decimated both Autumn Joy and Vera Jameson. Hope you get your answer but the Mystica is gorgeous.

Appears to be "dampening-off", a fungal infection that affects seedlings. I think this seedling is a goner. I wouldnt bother trying to root it. On future starts though, try a weak chamomile tea sprayed on the seedlings, this protects them from the dreaded fungus. Hope this helps! Randy in Savannah