REPLACEMENT FOR RUBUS PENTALOBUS

I've watched all week as a two-year old planting of this Rubus  - which
looks wonderful all winter and in early spring - has turned up its toes in
the face of heat and brutal Western sun.  Several of the now 4' x 4' plants
are completely brown, and while they may survive at the roots, clearly this
shade lover was not the right plant for the site.

Can anyone suggest a similarly low, green spreading groundcover (erosion
control)  for a west-facing slope - brutally hot and dry in summer - which
ultimately will have to survive on winter rains alone?   It will need to
suit the rest of the slope plantings of  rhamnus, toyon, manzanita,
carpenteria, and arbutus, all of which look good in this, their first summer
without supplemental watering.

I'd like to keep the look and feel of the planting one of a naturally
"un-gardened" and slightly wild area.

I'll be grateful for whatever suggestions any one may have.  I'm stumped.

Sylvia Sykora
Oakland, CA
USDA Zone 9
Sunset Zone 16
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