Thanks for the feedback, Capital Landscaping. I thought about adding small Crape Myrtles & I like the idea of adding tall grasses in between. I'm not sure how that will work as the yard gets some shade - not sure how much yet. I just want some visual interest against that wall.

I quite like the stone wall - but those metal posts supporting the fence are annoying visual distractions! Can you paint them a brown that would blend in with the wood of the fence?

15’ is not a lot of space...! I probably wouldn’t plant anything in the ground, using plants in big pots instead so I could rearrange them if needed/desired. You said the patio is covered.... Does it have a solid roof or is the roof a structure to grow vines on?

I know nothing about gardening in your area so I’m not much help I’m afraid... :-)

Beautiful stone work! The color is a nice foil for green plants. If you get prolonged shade, don't depend on flowering plants too much.

Covered patio has solid roof, it's an extension of the house roof. I'd rather plant things in the ground than planters because of the Texas heat and need to water. Don't know if the HOA will let me paint the posts, metal posts are the norm around here.

When the house is complete the backyard will be sodded and there is a sprinkler system.

Also thought about adding hostas but would also like something vertical for interest.

The privacy of the stone wall and fence is one of the reasons I selected this house.

You need a Texas gardener. Get a consultation with a good local gardener to help you with plant selection.

Things to consider. That is a beautiful wall. It is a garden feature that should be utilized not hidden. You have some big sky above the fence lines. That is your borrowed landscape. How do you want to frame it?

You did not say how long the wall/backyard is. I will guess the whole space is a 15' wide rectangle with the wall as back drop.. That is your primary view sitting on the patio. I would do a mixed planting of height and textures that concentrates on foliage before flowers. Big foliage. Bold foliage. Evergreen foliage. But with plants that will not grow higher than the fence for the most part or creep out into the yard. Your primary visual interest is at eye level. This is your route to an easy care year round garden.

You should give the bed against the wall six feet of that space at least for ease of maintenance and health of the plants. Plus this prevents the chances of a purely linear line up of plants.

How much sun does the area get in the growing season (spring through fall)? Are you interested in natives, butterfly plants, evergreens? The stone wall is really pretty. There is a wonderful area at the Fort Worth botanic garden (if this is your area of Texas) on the south side toward I-30. They've used a lot of natives and similar sandstone and some of the areas are shaded. I have a shaded 'woodland' style garden and use a lot of Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus) and American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) for height and color. Both can handle some drought and heat once established.

PKponder, I'm in the DFW region and will have to check out the Fort Worth botanic garden. Yard is not in full sun but haven't determined how much shade yet. Love the suggestions! Thank you. Would prefer to use natives or at least plants that can take drought and heat after establishment.

I also like the wall. The fence on top is an eyesore though. Have you considered pleached trees? That would cover the fencing on top and leave room at the bottom for smaller plantings or seating.

I went to Dallas /Fort Worth for a project this last year and went to both Dallas and fort worth botanical gardens :). I felt Dallas was a bit more well rounded. I even went through the Children’s garden which is the largest I have ever been too:) worth the time to look at plants. For more plants info go to www.monrovia.com and select plants and then look at your zone... and sort by shade. They have suggestions and they supply nurseries in your area.