My first thought is there are too many trees. Would actually suggest they be thinned out. That would give the opportunity to plant lower growing shrubs and flowers in the raised bed.

Climbing ivy?

Too many too close and honestly need to at least be thinned out to all the trees to grow naturally and IMO need to be removed totally it is not a good spot for trees .It is full of roots because there is no place for the roots to go

I don't mind bare tree trunks, as long as the rest of the trees are healthy-looking; I think trunks can be attractive in their own right. Thin them out, as already suggested, and add some colorful potted plantings between the remaining plantings and perhaps some interesting wall art, if she's into that sort of thing. (that face is creepy, though)

A shade-loving ground cover at the bottoms of the trees would look good. I can't recommend one for any zone where ficuses don't need to be taken inside for the winter. The trick to planting in very rooty soil is plugs. Again, I can't recommend a nursery that will sell them in your zone.

Thank you all -- so helpful!

@simplynatural: what a quick fix, and a big thanks for the mockup!

The right lighting can make things more interesting.

Depending on your location you can grow creeping fig or another climber on the wall to cover it.

Your friend should do what simplynatural suggested, for sure. And then add a tropical creeper, such as Philodendron gloriosum, that would be able to compete with the tree roots.

Invite crafty friends over for a Yarn Bombing?

@tozmo1 So fun!! Don’t think my friend would go for this but what a cool idea!