Perhaps staining would be better than paint outdoors. Have a look at http://www.concretestainingsolutions.co.uk/index.html

How about covering it with stone chippings if it not to large, or bark.

I was just about to suggest that. I covered an ugly concreted area of one of my customers gardens very cheaply that way.It only needs to be an inch or two deep .

You could then add container grown plants and it could look really attractive . Alternatively if the concrete isn't too thick you could make holes in it and plant directly in the ground.

This is not the garden in question but it shows what can be achieved in a basically gravel garden

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31559373@N00/2778538917/

Here's another gravel garden. Adding stepping stones across the gravel and planting through the gravel or in containers or raised beds (far top right jand side) can look really attractive.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31559373@N00/511213577/

The second design of the shady garden is brilliant, AM! Please could you tell us the name of the massive, dangly plant over the fence (centre back)? Many thanks.

Looks like Russian vine to me Sheila. You can see the leaves a bit better in the next photo.

BTW Anchorman, I loved browsing through your photos. The gardens you maintain are gorgeous - you're a lawn-stripe expert! ;-) Your own garden is very peaceful and colourful at the same time. I love it :-)

Thanks Beattie. You're correct it is a russian vine! Not one of my plantings though. It grows over the fence from a neighbours.

Thanks Beattie . . . I did wonder. Not going to grow that here then!

a cleamatis or honeysuckle would do much the same job.