That's one of my favorite words these days, Cindi...sustainable.
They're in moisture-retentive clay, possibly clay-silt. I watched trees and other plants grow like crazy in this area for 14 years - whatever started growing there grew well all by themselves. I finally thought, what the heck, might as well try it. I have the feeling that when they dug out the swimming hole, years and years ago, the removed mucky soil was probably dumped in this area.
I think the position of the *helper* plants is key as well; there are a few smallish trees to the south to cut the worst of the midday burn, and the tall grass along the path, and a wild mess of a mixed shrub grove to the west might aid in blocking some of the hot and drying winds.
I buy all of my winter plantings of roses from Hortico. I did try to research these first to see if they might be able to "go it alone".
Here's 'The Herbalist'; photo taken a little over a week ago. The bugs aren't even chewing on them.
No signs of disease either...
