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Here, they planted a drought-resistant mix of California dune grass, mondo grass and poppies alongside the former owners’ birds of paradise, pink camellias and pineapple guava tree.

Whether tucked into pots or lining walkways or beds, the shiny blades of black mondo grass add a note of year-round darkness to any garden scene.

Many species — such as black mondo grass or Japanese sweet flag grass — can survive in cold weather, but they typically can’t withstand the weight of snow, according to Prinzing.

Both Olander and Bauer like to complement house colors with their plant and decor choices, such as adding a red maple near a brick house or black mondo grass by dark trim.

Another option that might work more quickly is to plant grasses — not turfgrass, but creeping ones such as mondo grass.