I had one outside for several years. It was in my woodland garden so didn't have a well prepared bed and had to compete with large trees. It lasted several years, but never really thrived. I think I finally pulled it up and replaced it with a hydrangea, which has also not really thrived....and so the search goes on.

@DonnaBakets,
Did it bloom or just kind of hang on? Maybe it wasn't getting enough sun? Also was it protected by a hillside or in a valley or anything like that?

I'm in Baton Rouge and have been growing them for years. Have them in part sun locations. One thing I have found is that they can just die for no reason.