Welcome Timothy. I live in the Pacific NW Zone 8 and my D. odora 'Aureomarginata' is technically evergreen but it gets really ratty looking over the winter. Most of the leaves either drop off or are very droopy looking. Once it blooms in spring, then the leaves make a come-back. It also grows in a very rangy manner, which I've tried to correct by pruning, not very successfully. If it weren't for the intoxicating spring fragrance, I'd probably yard it out. Mine is in part-shade - northeast side of a building, so sun until about mid-afternoon. Good luck with yours.
I also read a review about a compact Daphne, 'Lawrence Crocker' which is a prolific bloomer, dwarf plant (1' mound) so would be good in a container, tolerates full sun, and will grow in pure sand. I've been on the lookout for this but haven't yet located it.
