It is the pictures that make the difference in whether people understand what is said, or if they don't. Here, I'm puzzled, you want a fountain to be the focus of a patio, but I don't see ANY fountain in either of the pictures. Or, maybe if it's there, it's not clear that it's a fountain. To read the description, it sounds like plants aren't performing, but in the picture, it is virtually a solid wall of plants. Roses are not going to bloom without enough light. But there's no picture that clues us as to how much light you're getting. Need to see the opening to the sky relative to the garden. Too much is unknown (unseen.) Try taking a series of slightly overlapping photos from a SINGLE camera viewpoint. That's one way of showing more when you can't back the camera up farther.

Have you tried just trimming around the fountain?

Yardvaark, I couldn't see it at first either. It is a plaque on the wall beneath the vine.

Thank you both for taking the time to comment. I've added a picture showing the south wall (from a rainy day) which is where the get sun. And yes, I could also trim the vines around the fountain but my question is more fundamental.

Let me try to be clearer about my request. My intent with the wall and container bed is to have a layered look with (ideally) a reasonable level of flowers growing up the brick wall. In the container bed there would also be a mix of colorful perennial plants. Yes, the wall is well covered but it is mostly the ivy vine. That seems to be the only thing that consistently does well. Therefore, I am wondering if the ivy is overwhelming everything else and should be removed and replaced with something else. I like the idea of climbing roses but what I have today has done only so so.

Then I have the issue that the other plants in the container bed never seem to do very well. Again, maybe this is the ivy and/or evergreen bushes overwhelming them. Or perhaps just not enough sun for what I am trying to accomplish and I have to rethink my plant approach.

Ultimately, I am just hoping for ideas of how to make best use of the space that I have.

Hopefully this is a little clearer.

The vine is Parthenocissus tricuspidata, Boston Ivy. Since it's thriving I'd let it continue to do its thing. However it will need regular maintenance trimming to keep it within bounds. In a situation like this I think you have to go with what will grow, not necessarily what you wish to grow. I'm afraid that given the situation 'mostly flowers' just isn't going to happen. GG has given you a good list of shade tolerant plants for this kind of situation. I'd add Pulmonarias and an underplanting of hardy Cyclamen hederifolium in either the usual pink or more restrained white. And cram in the small spring bulbs which flower before the foliage blocks all the light. The lion's head wall fountain is a well know device for small enclosed gardens, such as are found in cities. Another is a weatherproof outdoor mirror amongst the foliage which optically enlarges the space. But that would be better on the opposite fence so as not to blind you in summer.

What she said. (Gardengal)

some ideas:

Thanks all for the advice and suggestions!

Just to add, certain cultivars of Brunnera and Pulmonaria are very silver, and they really light up shady areas. There's also a gold leafed cultivar of Brunnera (sorry, can't remember the name) that also glows in shade.