found this link that describes your plant's symptoms. they report that southern blight fungal disease can manifest in this manner and say to remove the shrub, soil and mulch.
you might try searching "southern blight" to see if there are any recommended fungicides available to the general public.

Here is a link that might be useful: daphne diseases

That happened to me last year. Seemed like it was just limber new growth. I got busy and left it alone and it hardened off and straightened up on its own.

esh, I wondered about the weight of new growth. They both have tons of new top growth. I figure if it has blight, it wouldn't have new growth - although you never know. The leaves a re healthy. I'm going to wait and see. I hope it's just the problem you had esh.

Ha! Sugarhill, I remember you having problems with your Daphnes last year...
What a high maintenance plant!

They are higher maintenance than most - and the only high maintenance plant I have. They are so pretty all year and so fragrant in winter that I put up with it. And in the South, they are generally short-lived. Nothing you can count on for the long haul - sort of the boy-toys of shrubs (or arm-charms if you're a male gardener).