The Atragene Group are climbers, they are Alpinas and Macropetalas and they do well here. They are very hardy. They are no prune after the first couple of years.

I've been told they wouldn't do well here in Texas...I'm in the northern part of the state. Is it because we can have temps over 100 in the summer and we generally have mild winters? I would love to be able to grow a few but have been hesitant to try it.

Probably. I have friends in Canada who grow them. The species name alpina would suggest they are native to alpine areas and adapted to colder winters and cooler summers.

Portland is zone 8 but....we have very few days over 80* let alone over 100*