[AG] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[ClaireASP@aol.com]

My sister-in-law from So. Calif. just gave me a plant called Duranta. It is in a five gal.pot, and about 41/2 ft. tall, on a stake. I looked this up in my Sunset Western Garden book, and it said that it is okay in our zone 13. Also says it can take full sun. Do you agree with that? Should I plant it in the ground, in sun or shade; or plant it in a nice pot and keep it on my shaded patio. If I plant it in the ground,should I put a trellis behind it, or keep it staked as it is now? I hope that someone is familiar with this plant and can offer me suggestions on how to properly care for this plant. It is such a neat looking plant and I don't want to loose it! I have lost enough plants this summer already!!! In case you need to know what area I live in, it is No. Scottsdale.
I have one more question. I had a 36" box Shamel Ash planted two weeks ago, I know I shouldn't have planted it at this time of the year! Anyway, within a few days all the leaves completely dried up. I have deep watered it every day like the guy at Moon Valley told me to do. Do you think my tree is dead, or might it come back? I have a three month warranty on it; but will I be able to tell at that time that it is actually dead?
Sorry to bother you; and thanks for all the help that you have given me in the past.You guys do a great job!!