Unfortunately the crape myrtles completely defoliate in winter for us, makes me think because its right by the front door

Loropetalum or Abelia there are several varieties maybe some Sunshine Ligustrums.

I would plant something low -- a groundcover -- instead. The corral type effect of shrubs or hedges lining the walk doesn't add pleasantness. It adds a sense of being confined/restricted.

The boxwoods are already there planted by the builder, and they are healthy. Doing good. just want to plant in the empty space beside them with something complimentary

"The boxwoods are already there planted by the builder ..."... which has nothing to do with whether or not they're a good entrance enhancement solution.

I'm not a pro, but since you posted this on the Texas forum I'll reply.

I have to agree that a low groundcover would make the entrance to your beautiful house much more inviting. Is there somewhere else you could plant the boxwoods?

Silver pony foot, Dichondra argentea, is a low growing plant that does great in full sun and is ever green or rather ever gray, in San Antonio. It would not require the pruning that the boxwoods do.

Does anyone have another suggestion for a ground cover? It would help to know what part of Texas you're in.

Yes, I would wholeheartedly agree to just compost all your exotic, invasive landscape bushes and replace them with...a native pollinator garden.

You could fill the flowerbeds with [native wildflowers[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/moving-to-austin-from-bay-area-suggestions-dsvw-vd~5600214?n=19) including Mealy Blue Sage, Compass Plant & White Rosinweed, Standing Cypress, Texas Bluebell, Winecup (Callirhoe involucrata), Texas Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush, Indian Blanket, Mexican Hat, etc, etc!

And you can also line the path with evergreen iris and other bulb flowers. Not native, but would give you a nice year-round border...

Something else to consider for a low ground cover is Gregg dalea. It's a beautiful plant, takes blasting heat, blooms, requires very little water and is attractive year round. Although I think the boxwoods would be better in another location you could even leave them for the time being and have Gregg dalea fill in around them.

"Yes, I would wholeheartedly agree to just compost all your exotic, invasive landscape bushes and replace them with...a native pollinator garden."

Oh, please!! Let's not get into this discussion again! Just because a plant is a non-native does not automatically make it invasive. Or not attractive to pollinators!

Because your walkway appears to be generously sized, I have no issue with the boxwoods lining it....although I would prune them back into lower and looser forms.

I quite like the idea of the lavender....or perhaps a salvia of some type. Or a groundcover :-) Just keep whatever you choose low and easily kept tidy.

I have nothing against natives. And nothing against those plants that are native to other places in the world, so long as they grow here.

Never heard of Gregg Dalea but it looks great. Wish I could have some but suspect it won't do Florida. (If anyone knows differently, tell me.)

The installation of boxwood by a builder is the best reason to remove them. Boxwoods are like Bradford pears, over and inappropriately used in landscape and this is a classic example. You could try ornamental grasses which have winter interest but will be bare in spring when they have to be cut back.

You don’t say where you are and while many of the suggestions are good, they might not work for your location.

I am in north DFW

" I don't think I've ever seen any pollinators on any tiny Boxwood flowers. "

Then you haven't been lookng very carefully. When in bloom, boxwood literally vibrates with pollinator activity.

And "boring" is just an opinion and is neither here nor there. Many do not care to live in a messy, native plant-jumbled landscape or are restricted by housing covenants as to what they can plant.

And if you have a lawn or do much local produce shopping at the grocery store then you are just as guilty in supporting non-native plant species as anyone else posting here. In fact, if you restricted yourself to eating only native species of plants or animals, you would likely starve to death....or at the very least suffer from malnutrition.

btw, there is a strong science-based movement that contends including non-native, non-invasive species actually improves biodiversity and therefore adds to the ecology rather than detracts.

Gardening is one of the few pastimes that virtually anyone can enjoy regardless of age and that puts us in direct contact with nature. To politicize it in such a manner is doing no one any favors and is cerainly not helping your "cause", as misguided as it may be.

No. I just do not accept the contention that it is a larger reality. It is a highly politicized issue that adjusts and alters facts to fit the hypothesis, just like happens with any other political agenda. Even recognized scientists dispute the issue.

btw, planting only native species will have minimal effect on wildlife preservation, as by far the biggest issue is loss of habitat. And that is unikely to change any time soon unless you wipe out a big chunk of the world's human population.

I think people should stop giving air to this argument on this thread . IT IS OFF TOPIC and you guys are being down right unpleasant. This poster wants suggestions not a fist fight..

I think that silver pony's foot might be tender in DFW, but Dalea greggii is hardy to it. I have a friend growing it in OKC. I also think that Nepita would look good their and Santolina would look fantastic. the silver variety especially. They all take Texas sun. Lantana would look good in the summer but not the winter. I have been known to send starts of Dalea greggii to some people.

Whew ... it's a good thing we're looking for other planets to move to!

Other suggestion would be blue fescue grass and firewitch diamnthus. Both have glaucous coloring and neat round forms.