In order to make any reasonable suggestions, having some idea of where you are (such as nearest large city and European country or US state or Canadian province) would help. If you can look up your USDA zone or perhaps Sunset zone if you are in the western half of the US, that would be useful as well. What will grow and what looks appropriate in context depends a lot on where the garden is.

We also need some info on what conditions exist. It looks relatively shady there; is it shady all day or midday sun or . . . ?

Generally, 5' makes for a narrow garden bed, so you will have limits on your choices. Think about what appeals to you and how much work you want to do. Would a basic groundcover with mulch on the bed while the plants fill in work best because you don't have time/energy/desire to garden? Would you like something ornamental to look at from indoors, and would you like it to be year round or just in summer? Do you want a spot for bird feeders, either seed or hummingbirds? Do you want a basic palette of green and white or wild colors or all one color or . . .

Look for inspiration in garden books from the local library or in the Houzz photos (link at the top of the page, and put in you local area to search in landscape photos) to decide what appeals to you and what you might realistically be able to care for.

Here’s your photo. I’m glad you didn’t go all the way to the fence, it would look very sterile without some plantings around it.

as your pavers would be tilted toward your lot line, your neighbor is very happy they stop before your fence. and you can be happy that their hardscapes stops before your lot for the same reason. the fact that it looks better this way is a big bonus.

before you plant, make sure you have good drainage along the fence.... help it towards the front or the back depending on the topography.

Here’s where you look up your USDA zone

USDA

If you can answer some of NHBabs’ questions, you will get more suggestions and ideas here.

If you can’t find any photos for ideas of patio landscaping you like online, or if the whole thing seems overwhelming, take your photo, and measurements of the patio and area around it, to a local nursery (not a big box store) and tell them you need a low-maintenance mixed shrub planting. Ask if they can help.

Some larger nurseries have designers on staff who will create a simple design for you for free or for a small fee, if you are going to buy your plants from them. You can implement the plan over time if the budget doesn’t allow buying all at once.

If you’ve never done this before it may seem daunting, but having some life and color around your patio will make it more enjoyable to use and will increase your property value.

You need to show a view of the area as seen from the patio door, whereas your next door neighbor's property would be in the background. If the camera cannot show the full width of the scene, take two slightly overlapping pictures from the same point of view. Just pivot the camera a little for the second picture.

You'll want to install beds of perennials between the fence and the pavers so the plants come back each year and provide an artistic back drop for the patio.

What do you mean when you say you want that area to be functional?

Thanks everyone! Here is the the USDA: Zone 5b : -15 to -10 (F). We live in Milwaukee, WI so the patio is essentially unusable from November until April. On the other side of the fence is a 2' tall retaining wall which is the neighbors. When I say functional it would have been nice to have some type of seating and a little room to walk whether it be stone or whatnot otherwise it would feel a little cramped.

Plantings are really the answer and evergreen would be nice get over the fact that 1/2 the country does not use their yard in the winter. The best is to take your pics to agarden center in your area and they will have tons of ideas.

Is your neighbor’s yard lower or higher than yours? From your photo, I’m guessing the latter. Have you had any really heavy rains since you bought the home? Has water ever accumulated in your back yard? If so, then you will want to deal with the drainage issue before doing any landscaping.

Sounds to me like you wish that your patio could have been wider, so
you'd like to be able to sit or walk on the area beside the patio. I
agree. From your photo the patio is narrow and "full" with your furniture in place.

You could always grass the area which would allow you to walk around it. Another option is a walkable mulch such as bark mulch. For either grass or mulch, you can add walkable stones, either round, square or irregular. This would extend your patio without running into problems with city codes.

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