[M1EK]

I did both - populated the swale with mostly natives that once established need very little water, and have a couple flowerbeds bordering the walk to the house from the street which can be handwatered from the rain barrel (bonus: normal Ph water, not the alkaline stuff you get out of the tap) for annuals and non-natives.

Many others in my area (NUNA) have done the same thing - only problem is how many still have big St. Augustine lawns in the front. Sigh.