I have a shade covered flower bed between my pation and house underneath my deck. Its just dirt now and as rain water creeps through the deck above it splashes mud all over my siding. Something has to be done. I was thing weed block and river rock. That would prevent splashing of mud but is kind of a boring solution. Maybe a combination of stone and shade hearty plants?? Any ideas? Open to anything that could be a good use of this 16'x18" space.

Thanks,
Steve