I finally finished re-doing my patio late last night late.
I threw out those things that did not add to the spare beauty I was going for: two of five window boxes, six wood crates they were perched on, and lackluster or overgrown plants.
The result is more space and less clutter. While tomato plants are not aesthetically pleasing, all four are fruiting modestly, so screw the aesthetics. The courtyard podocarpus trees were just trimmed so now I get seven hours of sun instead of three.
I'm giddy over the extra light and a pleasing outdoor space I can finally enjoy.