Totally agree with gardengal. If this were my situation, I would clear the area and put in some pretty stone/gravel., and place colorful containers of annuals. The stepping stones are not needed there, IMO -- use them elsewhere!

I would remove the debris and plant Autumn Bride heuchera. This plant grows anywhere and everywhere with ease. It’s carefree. It’s a late bloomer. In my gardens anything that blooms late in the season has the best looking foliage through the season.

Sherry

I once grew a fine crop of parsley in a shady space half that width. If gravel isn't to your taste a number of annuals could be sown there or you could have shade tolerant low perennials such as Campanula portenschlagiana or Corydalis lutea. Ferns would also be happy there. Even mints, considering it's confined area. Remove all the rocks and junk first, obviously.

Nice looking river rock would be lovely. Put down landscaping fabric first, then the rock (the bigger the better I would recommend). Low maintenance, looks great.

why not clematis on fan trellises???

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffcm&q=clematis+on+fan+trellises&ia=images&iax=images

there might not be enough light for profuse flowering ... but the green against the house would be pleasant ...

and of course .. you would have to figure out how to secure the trellis without breaking the integrity of the house... im not one for drilling holes in my exterior walls ...

ken

That close to the house is probably going to be pretty dry for most plants. Something to keep in mind.

I would consider groundcover, perennials or annuals, or a combination thereof. There is no space for shrubs. Or, it could be filled in with paving, which for me, would be concrete.

A nice ground cover like vinca or ajuga would do nicely and bloom in spring.

I would plant hens and chicks or sempervivum.

It depends on what you want to look at and the upkeep you’re ok with doing. Me, I’d want plants for color/soften the area. I don’t know the best plants for your area, but I’ve grown plenty of things in narrow areas like that (Tx 8a). I love the look of plantings coming out over the edges of the concrete. But again, I don’t know if you want the upkeep. If so, I wouldn’t do a line of the same plants, you can ask at your local nursery what would work there. Various heights and colors would be very pretty.

Coleus might do well there, and could provide season-long color.

Why don't you just get some bags of concrete mix and make the entire patio area concrete -- for such a small area visually leading to the AC, I wouldn't want anything that is a focal point, all that's going to do is highlight the AC rather than take the eye away from it. You really need some color, though - everything is some shade of grey - so snazzy patio pots with colorful plantings strategically placed will work wonders. Maybe some window boxes too.

I believe I would clear everything away, lay fabric (the first time I think I’ve ever recommended fabric!) and cover it with handsome river rock. No pavers or pots. Put your pavers to use elsewhere. And the space is too shady and dry for pots.

I would probably put in a planter/trellis combo and grow something pretty.

I agree with gardengal. Pretty rock for year around and a few containers of annuals for color. Two hours of morning sun would be perfect for posts of Impatience. I have a neighbor with an similar area and she cuts winter greenery (pine, spruce, and holly) and puts in the same containers for the winter holidays.