Autumn floral arrangement of dried pink hydrangeas, burgundy leaves, and green fern sprigs spilling from a pale orange pumpkin on a white tablecloth
Timely Tips

Pumpkins, Gourds and Garden Gatherings

Turning fall's colorful harvest into one-of-a-kind living centerpieces.

I've always looked at pumpkins and gourds as more than fall decorations. Their wonderful colors and shapes make natural containers for living plants, fresh flowers and foliage gathered from the garden. For these autumn centerpieces, I combined ornamental peppers, hydrangeas, hosta leaves, trailing sedum and chenille plants—allowing each pumpkin to suggest its own arrangement.

Yellow pumpkin decorated with yellow ornamental pepper plants, variegated hosta leaves, and reddish-brown foliage on a beige tablecloth
Orange striped pumpkin used as a centerpiece vase, filled with red chili peppers and green leaves on a white tablecloth
Centerpiece of dried pink and cream hydrangeas with red chenille-like flowers and green vines in a rustic bowl on a white table

How to Build a Living Centerpiece

  • 1 Hollow the pumpkin or gourd.
  • 2 Insert a waterproof container or plastic so the pumpkin lasts longer.
  • 3 Keep living plants in soil and use soaked floral Oasis separately for cut flowers.
  • 4 Combine garden foliage, seasonal flowers, and small plants.
  • 5 Let the pumpkin's color and shape guide the arrangement.

There really are no rules. I treated each pumpkin and gourd as a small garden, choosing plants and flowers that brought out its individual color and personality.

"I treated each pumpkin and gourd as a small garden, choosing plants and flowers that brought out its individual color and personality."

Looking for more seasonal inspiration? Explore KC's full library of practical guides, timely tips, and garden journal entries.

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