It is resistant to blackspot in most gardens. In our damp, mild climate, BD is susceptible to cercospora spot disease, so the foliage can get ratty in a rainy season. Also the flowers will ball after a cool rain. I have read that it is not cane-hardy in zone 5 temperatures. BD is still a good rose here, but not as good as it is in Texas. In your hot summers it would probably do better than it does here in the mountains.

It's wonderful here. Interestingly, it never balls here, despite the humidity.

Hi Grace

Michael and floridarose are better sources of info about BS and Belinda's dream in their humid climates, since we have a relatively dry climate here. However I did want to mention it overwinters for me like a champ in the zone 4 pocket of my yard, so you shouldn't have hardiness issues in zone 6. As Michael said, it's not entirely cane hardy for me in this spot, but still maintains a good 2 feet of healthy cane after the winter which is plenty for me.

In my climate I don't notice it being a particular offender in BS or balling, but my climate differs from yours.

Cynthia

It hated here. I also received several reports of it hating the climate around Long Island Sound. It is probably an area very similar to where Michael lives. The issue does seem to be a lack of real summer heat as much as anything.