How does the Cherokee Rose survive in the Georgia mountains?

The Cherokee Rose is well suited to USDA Zones 7-9. The other necessary requirements are a slightly acidic soil (pH 6.6 to 7.0) and a LOT of organic material which can certainly come from a lot of leaf litter or pine straw. Add full sun and airy conditions and the Cherokee Rose will happily spread over anything and everything in it's immediate vacinity.