Sorting layer for MeshRenderer not working

I currently cannot get a Quad to render behind the sprites in my scene. I want to use a Quad because it is easier to tile textures on them for background.

I have added the following script to a GameObject that has a MeshRenderer on it. The GameObject is just a default Quad.

Code (csharp):

1.  
2. using UnityEngine;
3. using System.Collections;
4.  
5. public class RenderLayerSetter : MonoBehaviour {
6.    void Update() {
7.        GetComponent<MeshRenderer>().sortingLayerName="Background";
8.    }
9. }
10.  

This sorting layer does indeed exist, and regardless of what sorting layers I assign anything, the Quad will always be in front of the sprites unless I change its 'z' value (which is an unacceptable work around).

 

Why?

 

This issue for me was fixed using a shader with transparency. for example: unlit/transparent

 

Yep, it's a bummer, mesh renderers don't work well with particle systems and sprites.