Hello gmn14,

You have provided some good information but a couple photos of the area would very helpful. Based on what you have described my first suggestion would be to remove and dispose of all the red gravel. Gravel mulch radiates heat and can make it extremely difficult for plants to thrive. I would also remove the old concrete and pull out at least 6" of soil and dispose. Then get your soil tested for nutrient composition and texture. Make the necessary amendments and you will be off to a fantastic start for whatever plants you decide to install.

A picture would be helpful. Could you build up the soil and plant an evergreen ground cover, maybe something that flowers?

Here's a picture.
Ideally, I was hoping to stay away from removing all of the gravel. I haven't fully checked the entire area to know how much concrete is under there. The one spot I found seemed like a larger slab, which could turn into a huge project if there's more of that under there to remove. I was more looking for ideas on what could be done with most of its existing state. Would love to do a complete overhaul and have that entire area plant-able, just not sure if that amount of time/effort is in the cards in the near future.

Gmn14, Thanks for the photos, landscape work is labor intensive and the preparation is always the least gratifying. Personally it reminds me of interior painting. All prep.

When you do have the time or possibly phase the work I would start by removing all the gravel. Remove the soil, Take care of your amendments for nutrient and soil texture and replant with. A few evergreen shrubs with some perennial color in front. the remaining area can be planted with vinca minor.

I don't see a doorway from the house to the space, and I am not sure what you would be looking at while seated in the area so until I have that information. I would consider it a pocket garden.

I would go in the opposite direction and use large pavers with gravel between them as a ground cover then add several large (like half whiskey barrel sized) pots for annuals. There's no point in adding a bench if you don't sit there or the view isn't nice.

At a minimum, begin by probing to determine the footprint of any concrete slabs under the gravel. It may be simply under the downspout or around the brick footings. Until that is determined it's difficult to provide planting options. I do like Charles Earl's suggestion of a pocket garden.

some ideas

How about just a group of three containers with plants and leave gravel.

How about a multi-level container garden?