Lotus hirsutus: Great groundcover or potential pest?

Given the newly empty spaces in my garden I've been considering both what plants I can use to fill them and how I might simplify my landscape in the process.  When I first began planting my current garden over fourteen years ago, it was all about buying every plant I fell in love with and finding spots to put them later.  More recently, in addition to fire safety, I've become concerned with streamlining plant care and maintenance through the use of more mass plantings.

As I looked around at my more prolific, low care plants, I zoomed in on Lotus hirsutus, commonly known as Hairy Canary Clover (formerly classified as Dorycnium hirsutum).  It's a vigorous groundcover, very drought tolerant, and pretty with and without flowers.  The fuzzy silver gray foliage is particularly soft to the touch.  I'd argue that it's even softer than lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina).

Closeup of the clover-like flowers

In addition to the plant's other attributes, it's beloved by bees

There's a lot of this plant in my garden already, much of which has spread itself around, which is one of my concerns.  My recollection was that I'd purchased only one or two plants over the years but according to my spreadsheet I've purchased the plants six times between 2011 and 2018, corroborating San Marcos Growers' assessment of the plant as "short-lived."  That's actually comforting as it suggests that the plant won't overrun my garden, while the fact that it self-seeds allows me to spread seedlings about where they can be useful.

The majority of the purchased specimens were placed in the dry garden on the north side of the house.  I can't say with any certainty which, if any, of those shown below are original and which are self-seeded.

I vaguely recall planting one of my purchased plants along the edge of the gravel path here.  I cut them back as needed when they encroach on the path.  The only downside is that the tiny plants that pop up in the gravel can be more difficult to remove than they are elsewhere.

I think the plant seeded itself here but it looks nice with the self-seeded pink evening primrose (Oenothera speciosa)

I may have placed another plant or seedling here, or this could be a self-seeded plant - they do like to place themselves along path edges

This one definitely planted itself here, in a shaded area of the same path

I've already transplanted two Lotus seedlings in one of the empty spots in the north-side garden and I'm contemplating adding more.

This is the area previously occupied by 3 humongous rosemary shrubs.  I didn't intentionally go with a pink theme here but with 2 large Leptospertmum 'Pink Pearl' shrubs, a Protea 'Pink Ice', a Grevillea sericea, and 3 Grevillea 'Scarlet Sprite' in the same area, adding more Lotus hirsutus could help knit the area together.  I've already placed 2 Lotus seedlings there.

I potted up this large seedling for future use.  Like the 2 plants in the prior photo, it's struggling a bit after being yanked out of the ground; however, based on prior experience, there's at least a 50-50 chance the seedlings will recover.

The plants have long tap roots, which can be difficult to get up intact.  I tossed this one because I clearly broke part of that tap root.

These are 2 of the areas where Lotus transplants may be useful.  The area on the left under one of our persimmon trees is one spot but I need to remove more ivy first.  The area on the right alongside the concrete block stairway leading down into the back slope had been occupied by prostrate rosemary.  Lotus seedlings or Aeonium cuttings are both options there.

I need to remain mindful about pulling the Lotus seedlings where they're not wanted because they've spread into some areas I didn't expressly select.

Large Lotus hirsutus in the front driveway

I may have intentionally planted the Lotus in the prior photo but I definitely didn't plant these

I didn't plant the Lotus along this narrow path on the front slope either but, as few things grow well there other than weeds, I'm leaving them in place and simply pulling seedlings as needed

I also didn't plant the Lotus here but then this part of the garden on the west side of the driveway is an amalgamation of self-seeded plants, including Polygala myrtifolia, Lavandula stoechas, and Festuca glauca.  One day I'll get around to replanting the whole area but it won't be anytime soon. 

The Lotus has made some attempts to take hold in the back garden too.  I've removed all but this one, which I should probably replace with something else before this self-seeder gets even more comfortable here.

Despite some reservations, I'm currently leaning toward using more Lotus in the north-side garden but not elsewhere at the moment.  What self-seeders have you found useful?

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