What climate zone are you in? Agree that some nice evergreens to screen the retaining wall would be a great place to start!

that looks lovely, thanks! I tried sketching out some ideas too...

I'm in Seattle ...but it seems like everything grows here!

Use narrow evergreen plants to cover the concrete area, in a variety of heights. It will soften the look the the large wall. Some vines, like creeping fig, will attach themselves to the concrete. You can keep them trimmed below the wood fencing.

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wow that first photo is gorgeous

ideas:

This is really nice. What kind of shrub is that with the white flowers? and is that a fountain that looks like a vase?

I think you could do something w/the flower beds next to the fence, like this

you could do a raised bed using any of these masonry border materials and plant whatever goes w/your climate/sun level)

then maybe bring in some DG (decomposed granite) for the gravel base,

or whatever this gray pebble is.

maybe some large boulders against the fence. Bring in some pavers or stepping stones

you could do a plastic pond tub, get a little fountain (you'll need electrical tho) and have some water lilies in it.

surround it w/large pavers.

then just decorate. furniture, those garden lights, some foliage and colorful planters

wow! thank you for all of these ideas!

No backyard is complete without a bbq! That is an essential!

Hi, wanted to share with everyone progress on my little backyard zen garden! Still waiting for the vines to grow over the cement retaining was but other stuff is filling in. Love my "dish rock". Not wild about the pavers, but we needed the pathway so decided to leave. Thanks for the ideas and support!