Toni, Roses that are hardy in this zone typically do survive just fine, but many don't look healthy without spraying or don't re-bloom in summer heat and humidity. So it's not a matter of survival for me, its just that I ditch any that look unhealthy most of the time. I'm not sure what sounded like roses don't survive for me- perhaps cane hardiness of climbers? That is an issue here when we have tough winters, but even then the plants survive. I did deal with Rose Rosette Disease a few years ago, which in itself didn't kill any, but I removed the infected plants...
