Arranging flowers is a creative outlet in more ways than one. Sure, you get to flex your artistic muscle by putting together a bouquet without any help. But you can get creative with what you put into your gatherings, too. Herbs make an unexpected, aromatic addition to any arrangement. Plus, they provide a wealth of health benefits, should you decide to consume your herbs once the bouquet’s dried out.

Start with these six herbal varieties and see how much they accentuate your arrangements — and spruce up your diet, to boot:

1. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

Rosemary grows quickly, and its stems can be extra tall in comparison to flowers. As such, splicing some into your bouquet can add texture and interest. Plus, dried rosemary can make a tasty addition to breads, stews and other recipes. You’ll reap the benefit of the herb’s active ingredient, rosmarinic acid, which has the ability to ward off congestion and allergies.

2. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Have a teacup to fill? Thyme stems may grow smaller than some of the other options on this list, but they make an adorable addition to smaller arrangements. Whether you want to make a tiny centerpiece for your breakfast nook or hand out thank-you bouquets as a hostess gift, you can’t go wrong with a bit of thyme added in. Plus, thyme’s health benefits range from immunity-boosting vitamin C to cholesterol-lowering, thanks to particular varieties of the plant.

3. Mint (Mentha spicata)

You love the sweet, spicy smell of mint — imagine how wonderful that aroma would be in a bouquet. So, grab some sprigs and use them as filler with roses and cosmos particularly, as they make a gorgeous, leafy trio. When you enjoy the herb yourself, you’ll notice that mint helps wake you up and feel alert. It can kick-start digestion and improve your breath, to boot.

4. Dill Flower (Amethum graveolens)

Interestingly enough, you can work herbs into your flower arrangements without sacrificing the blossoms you love so much. Just look at the gorgeous dill flower — it looks stunning when gathered in a wildflower-centric bouquet. It might not fit into all types of arrangements or styles. For instances, wildflowers might not look great in a long-and-low vase. However, when dill flower works, it works well.

On top of that, dill has health benefits that have been used in ayurvedic healing for years. Healers rely on dill to soothe everything from coughs to flatulence to liver and gallbladder problems.

5. Bay Leaves (Laurus nobilis)

Want a long-lasting flower arrangement? Look no further than bay leaves to add some greenery for up to a month’s time. These leaves have eye-catching, curvaceous outlines, and they grow large enough to fit into sizeable bouquets. Then, you can pop a few of the sprigs into your cooking and reap the herb’s benefits — they can boost digestion and soothe inflammation, or, consider using them to decorate some wonderful new votives.

6. Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Sage helps sharpen a person’s memory — surprisingly, its brain-boosting effects even aid dementia patients in studies. As for flower arrangements, sage has plenty of volume to fill in sparse arrangements. Plus, it comes in multiple colors – the greenish variety looks great with pink roses, while the purplish version can bring out similar shades. When you’re done with the bouquet, you can make a soothing cough syrup with the remaining sage leaves.

Add Herbs and Enjoy

Floral arrangements don’t just have to include flowers anymore — these gorgeous herbs prove that. And, when you incorporate them into your bouquets and vases, you get a little extra for yourself by way of the herbal health benefits that each plant provides. So, piece them into your bouquets — and rip of a piece for yourself. Herbs and floral arrangements make a beautiful combination.