Make a beautiful pumpkin flower arrangement for your fall decor this season! It's an easy DIY centerpiece that is perfect for entertaining, thanksgiving or even a great hostess gift idea.
We love all things pumpkin during this time of the year, especially treats like pumpkin pecan coffee cake and pumpkin snack cake with cream cheese frosting. And the thing we have to make every year is the best pumpkin doughnuts with cinnamon sugar! So delicious! But pumpkins are not just for eating. I love decorating with them every fall and this pumpkin arrangement is one of the fun things I like to make during the cooler autumn months and has even become sort of a tradition in our home each year.
About Pumpkin Flower Arrangements
The first time I made a pumpkin flower arrangement had to be about 15 or 20 years ago. It is typically a hollowed out pumpkin with a vessel inserted in the middle to hold the water and flowers. It can also be made with a block of soaked floral foam inserted in the middle. The floral foam tends to be more sturdy, but I actually prefer using a glass dish and flower frog.
You can use any variety of flowers for your arrangement, but the fall colored ones are my favorite. There are so many different colors of pumpkins available that you could easily mix and match with many different types of flowers.
Supplies You Will Need
This project uses a few tools, some that I always keep on hand, and some fresh from the floral department.
- one medium sized pumpkin
- flowers
- bowl that fits in the middle of the pumpkin
- flower frog (mine is vintage)
- scissors
A couple of notes:
- for this project, I used a "pink heirloom pumpkin," but it was really more of a muted orange and green. Feel free to use any fresh pumpkin that fits in with your color scheme.
- I grabbed flowers from the grocery store and clippings of leaves from my yard and around town. The darker ones are from a plum tree and the yellow orange ones were from an unknown variety.
- The flowers I used are: deep burgundy dahlias, muted orange mums, white stock, red hypericum, kangaroo paw, and dried wheat.
How to Make a Fall Pumpkin Flower Arrangement
There are just a few steps to make this easy fall pumpkin flower arrangement. You will want to make one for everyone you know!
Step 1: How to pick a pumpkin for your flower arrangement
Choose a pumpkin for your flower arrangement, keeping these things in mind:
- The pumpkin should have a flat bottom so it won't tilt or lean.
- Make sure the pumpkin is fresh with no soft spots.
- Consider what kinds of flowers you will be using and coordinate with the colors of the pumpkin.
Step 2: Trace Bowl Outline
I used a glass bowl that I have had in my cupboards for as long as I can remember. You can use whatever glass or plastic container or bowl that will fit your pumpkin. Just place it on the top of your pumpkin and trace around it lightly with a sharp knife. Set your bowl aside.
Step 3: Cut top off of pumpkin
Using a sharp knife, cut all the way through the skin and meat of the pumpkin into the hollow center, following the line you traced around your bowl. Pull your top completely out and set it aside.
Step 4: scoop out pulp and seeds
Using a spoon, scoop out the pulp and seeds. Discard or save the seeds to bake for a snack! The sharp edge of a spoon helps to get all of the pulp out.
Step 5: Insert bowl and fill with water
It might take a few extra little shavings with your knife here and there to fit your bowl into the middle of the pumpkin. Once it fits snugly into the middle, fill your bowl with cool water. Add a flower frog or tape a grid to the glass using floral tape. I used a vintage floral frog from my stash.
Step 6: Add leaves and flowers
This is how I finished making my pumpkin flower arrangement:
- Start with a few branches of fall leaves around the base of the arrangement.
- Add some sturdy flowers in a rough globe shape, creating the structure of your pumpkin flower arrangement. I used dahlias and mums for this step.
- Fill in the holes with other filler flowers. I used kangaroo paw, hypericum, and stock for this step.
- Fill in any extra holes with more fall leaves. Check to make sure it feels like it all flows evenly and make any needed adjustments.
Notes:
The foraged fall leaves is what makes this pumpkin flower arrangement really feel like autumn. They don't have to be perfect and the more colorful the better, in my opinion! Begin the arrangement by making a base of leaves and then use them to fill in any holes again at the end. I didn't want this arrangement to feel too perfect or fussy.
Creating a rough shape with a sturdy flower is an easy way to start the centerpiece. I used dahlias and mums but you could use any number of flowers. In my opinion, the more foraged the better in the fall!
Tip: fall is the perfect time to add seasonal fruit or other elements. I added wheat to this one, but have added red pears, apples, pinecones, and more in past arrangements.
I love the textures and warm colors of fall so much. There is something so homey and welcoming about them. It makes me want to eat soup and wear my favorite sweater.
Pumpkin Flower Arrangement
Create a beautiful fall pumpkin flower arrangement in just a few easy steps for your fall decor, next holiday gathering or even thanksgiving dinner.
Instructions
-
Choose a pumpkin for your flower arrangement. The pumpkin should have a flat bottom so it won't tilt or lean. It should be fresh with no soft spots. Consider what kinds of flowers you will be using and coordinate with the colors of the pumpkin.
-
Place bowl on the top of your pumpkin and trace around it lightly with a sharp knife. Set your bowl aside.
-
Using a sharp knife, cut all the way through the skin and meat of the pumpkin into the hollow center, following the line you traced around your bowl. Pull your top completely out and set it aside.
-
Using a spoon, scoop out the pulp and seeds. Discard or save the seeds to bake for a snack! The sharp edge of a spoon helps to get all of the pulp out.
-
It might take a few extra little shavings with your knife here and there to fit your bowl into the middle of the pumpkin. Once it fits snugly into the middle, fill your bowl with cool water. Add a flower frog or tape a grid to the glass using floral tape.
-
Start with a few branches of fall leaves around the base of the arrangement. Add some sturdy flowers in a rough globe shape, creating the structure of your pumpkin flower arrangement. I used dahlias and mums for this step. Fill in the holes with other filler flowers. I used kangaroo paw, hypericum, and stock for this step. Fill in any extra holes with more fall leaves. Check to make sure it feels like it all flows evenly and make any needed adjustments.
I know you will love these other fall flower arrangements and centerpiece ideas too! I hope they inspire you to make one for your home too!
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Christie
Hello, could you please tell me what size flower frog you used. Love this idea. Thank you