Not an idea I would recommend. Even dwarf lavender cultivars will grow to 18-24" and develop a woody framework that is very capable of scratching.....both the undercarriage as well as doors/sides if the aim is off.

Perhaps, Purple Trailing Lantana, Lantana montevidensis.

I don't think that something that can't be stepped on is a good idea so close to driveways. Fake grass would be perfect.

Good to know re the lavender. I didn't realize they developed a woody framework like that.

The lantana montevidensis suggestion looks really interesting. Also considering the following groundcovers that I see available in my area: frog fruit, burgundy glow ajuga (among others), horse herb, and varieties of liriope. Perhaps some muhly grasses wouldn't be bad either?

Most critical is that it's deer proof and functional for the area. Next most important is butterfly, hummingbird, or pollinator friendliness. Fragrance would be a huge factor, too, as well as drought tolerance (hence the initial lavender idea). I can run spot drip lines without too much of an issue, though, if needed.

A visit to a good local independent nursery for window shopping would serve you well. There are bound to be a number of good options none of us would know about, especially on the xeric side.

Mint family maybe? Like balms and mints. Invasive as hell, so being confined by driveways works. Don't get much woody, or at least not in MI where we get winters. Soft non-scratchy leaves. Lots of scents, and is pollinator friendly. Tough too, mints and balms are the toughest things to kill in my yard once they get established.

I can't imagine many species - other than any TX natives - of the mint family being happy in the heat and dryness of San Antonio. That would be an extremely harsh environment for them.

Christopher's suggestion is excellent - local sources are going to provide much better recommendations than any outliers from an international website :-)

Blackfoot daisy?, Tickseed?, gazania?, silver Dichondra?

Omar

Would Delosperma cooperi grow in that locality?

I was at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center a couple of months ago. They had some xeric landscapes that would give you ideas. I would visit the website and the gardens of local botanical gardens to get inspiration and recommendations. Check out the San Antonio Botanical Gardens.

Both horse herb and frog fruit grow wild in the fields created around my place in N.W. San Antonio when a tributary of Salado creek flooded and the houses were removed. Horse herb is beautiful in the shade of trees and frog fruit in full sun where it makes an almost solid mat. Other weeds do grow up among them.

What ever you plant will be an experiment; all gardening is, however after thinking it over I'd do Blackfoot daisies as Omar suggested. Silver pony foot would work too except that it sometimes freezes in winter.

The low growing Black foot daises stay green all winter and bloom ALL summer. You'd have to run an irrigation line to give them a little water. Also be aware they are short lived perennials. After about three or four years individual plants die, but others have seeded out to take their place.

I'd mix Four nerves daisy's among them. They are also evergreen, take full hot sun and reflected heat and bloom all four seasons. Plant them thickly to discourage weeds and mulch with gravel. In my yard both seem to actually PREFER growing through what Lowes sells in bags as river rock.

It will be somewhat of an investment to cover that large an area thickly. Rainbow Gardens will have both daisies on sale for two or two fifty per four inch pot in the spring.

And there will be upkeep such as weed pulling, watching that they are getting the right amount of water, etc.

Lirope might work. I grow it, but don't have experience with growing in sun and reflected heat.

Drive around some of the newer landscaped shopping areas around town and see what's doing well there as well as the San Antonio Botanical Gardens and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center as suggested above.

We are wishing you well in what ever you decide!

P.S. Maybe plant a few soft leaf yuccas to add contrast and take up some room,

I have some Blackfoot daisies blooming right now. If you are not going to step on the flowerbed, you may consider graptopetalum. It’s drought resistant and evergreen. If you can provide water, you may consider Trachelospermun “Snow n’ Summer”. It has an amazing foliage all year long. However it is not easy to find and it is not that cheap. The lowest price I’ve seen is around $6 per plant.

Omar

'Walker's Low' catmint (Nepeta x faassenii) is a pretty solid performing (and softer) alternative to Lavender for much of Texas.

Like Yardvaark, I'd agree that what is needed in that area is something very low growing that would not interfere with car doors opening or mind being stepped on. Walker's Low catmint gets pretty massive - upto 3' tall and as much as 5' across.

I am not familiar with some of the plants suggested but would focus on some hardy groundcover type. Nothing that exceeds about 12" in height - lower would be better - and that will tolerate some foot traffic.

bluebonnets?

Whatever is used needs to be low enough to drive over and tough enough to walk over. So not Bluebonnets.

.... and tough enough to walk over. So not Bluebonnets.

Walking over bluebonnets has been a Texas photo-op tradition since.... well, long before selfies. :)

Buffalo grass would look good there if there's enough sun, the existing (Bermuda?) turf can be completely eliminated, and will not get dosed with a lot of dog urine (tends to burn worse than other turfs common in Texas). We mow our female plug-started grass once or twice a year and edge monthly during the growing season. Mixed gender lawns get the taller male flowers which some prefer to mow more frequently.

Some sedges could also work if you're wanting to stay away from a more traditional turf look.

Gregg's dalea is another that might work.

I have been misinterpreting the picture. I thought it was a single driveway made of two strips, not two separate driveways. Hence my comments that it needed to be very low and walkable over.

Would oregano be a potential option? It seems really lush, thick, soft, and to take full sun well in our area.

Oregano or Marjoram, often confused, is a very interesting option. They both bloom in season, white or rose pink colors on 12" to 18" stalks. Plenty easy to mow or trim when done and you only have to do it once a year. The mat like growth is walkable and stays evergreen in my zone 6. It's a tough to aggressive plant.

There are a great many cultivars, selections and varieties that you may need to sort through for the best one for this situation. Common species will be the best.

But it does seed around if that's a concern. It doesn't bother me.

Wooly Stemodia does very well and is a low growing and tough plant that will tolerate some stepping on. It is very drought tolerant. I have also had very good results growing Chenille plant (Acalphya), which blooms year round for me. It will require more water than the Stemodia but it is quite showy en masse.

Molly