The "Swale" started from necessity. This area of our yard is, in essence, the drainage ditch for the front gardens. When we created the formal garden we dug several drainage ditches and french drains. They all converge on this area, making it perpetually damp. Instead of fighting it, we're going with the damp and planting accordingly. We are trying to keep it as pollinator/animal friendly as we can. The "wildness" is in sharp contrast to the other areas of our yard. 

This whole area is planted with white and green flowers and grasses. The plantings so far include Gaura, daisy, obedient plant, river oats, sedge grass, peppermint stick grass and a native white wildflower mix.