Find the steps and tips to create a blooming pumpkin as a centerpiece for your fall or Thanksgiving table the easy way. . .no cutting required! You’ll find flower longevity tips, the ‘float/soak’ method for maximum flower hydration and additional floral inspiration incorporating pumpkins in your fall décor.
Happy October!
It’s one of my favorite days of the month, when I join my blogging friends
for some flower therapy and Monday Morning Blooms.
Pam, Lidy and I are excited to welcome
Shannon, from Belle Bleu Interiors
as our special guest ‘bloomer’ today.
You can find the links to my flower friends’ blooming
inspiration at the bottom of this post.
Our theme for this month’s edition of Monday Morning Blooms was ‘pumpkin’
and I’m celebrating fall on The Potting Bench
with pumpkins, flowers, bittersweet vine and Indian corn!
Flowers and pumpkins are two of my favorite things and I love to combine the two
for a seasonal centerpiece for fall or Thanksgiving!
{ Alfresco Fall Table }
{ DIY Blooming Pumpkin and Autumn Table }
{ Alfresco Fall Table with Blooming Pumpkins }
This post contains affiliate links. For more information see my disclosure policy.
I’m sharing my favorite and easy method to make a blooming pumpkin!
Before I discovered this method, I used to hollow out my pumpkin to make a vase for flowers,
but cutting through the hard skin and flesh can be a challenge and hazardous.
This blooming pumpkin method doesn’t require cutting, saving time,
preventing potential accidents,
and last but not least, extends the life of your pumpkin.
You’ll want a stemless pumpkin or pumpkin with a very short stem for this method.
Start with a brick of wet floral foam; cut your floral brick in half.
Floral foam cuts easily with a kitchen knife.
Soak your wet floral foam in water mixed with floral preservative
until it’s fully saturated (about 2 minutes).
Tip: When using wet floral foam, use the “float soak” method and
place the floral foam brick on top of the water.
Let the floral foam gradually absorb the water until it sinks and is fully saturated.
You can see in the bottom right photo of the collage how much water
the foam absorbed by the low level of the water.
Plunging the floral foam in the water creates air pockets in the foam and will cause stems to dry out,
shortening the life of your flowers.
When saturated, use waterproof floral tape to secure the wet foam to a clear plastic plate.
I used a 7-inch clear plate.
The plate will catch any water that drips from your foam and allows you
to move your flower arrangement and pumpkin separately.
Place your plate with foam on your pumpkin to arrange your flowers,
so you get a feel for proportion and size
of your finished arrangement as you work.
As you arrange your flowers, place your floral material along the edge of the plate
to conceal any gaps between the plate and your pumpkin.
I started with some hydrangeas from the garden to camouflage the edge of the plate.
Mums from the grocery store were added next for a pop of fall color.
In addtion to hydrangeas, other garden flowers added were Abelia foliage,
Chaste Tree (Vitex) seed pods, for interest and texture,
and Mother of Pearl Rose.
Mother of Pearl Rose was planted in 2016, a gift from friends
sent in memory of my dear mother-in-law, Betty, when she passed away.
It got a hard prune in July after the Japanese Beetles
skeletonized the leaves and decimated the blooms.
A little fertilizer after its hard prune and it was blooming again about 6 weeks later.
I was happy to see that it was still pushing blooms last week,
coinciding with Betty’s birthday, September 28th.
To get the most life from your flowers, keep your arrangement away from direct sunlight or heat.
Spray your finished arrangement with Crowning Glory,
an anti-transpirant spray that seals in moisture!
It dries clear and is safe to use on all flower types, especially beneficial
for flowers that are prone to wilting due to moisture loss, like hydrangeas.
Crowning Glory will dry within 30 minutes to an hour, depending the temperature and humidity.
Note: Wait to spray roses with Crowning Glory after they are open
as it will prohibit them from opening further.
What I love about this blooming pumpkin method:
🍂 No cutting involved so your pumpkin will last all season
🍂 Easy to transport the flowers and pumpkin separately
🍂 The floral top can be removed and refrigerated to prolong the life of your flowers if needed
🍂 You can add water to the arrangement if needed as the plastic plate
will catch drips and excess water
More hydrangeas, Indian corn and first few Autumn Blaze Maple leaves to turn crimson,
join pumpkins on the potting bench.
Bittersweet vine was added to the potting bench gable vent
to join a small grapevine wreath with a few hydrangeas tucked inside.
‘Mathilda Gutges’ Hydrangea blooms have reached the ‘papery’ stage
and are ready to dry, joining mini pumpkins on a shelf. . .
And more Indian corn and Limelight Hydrangea blooms fill baskets on a ladder.
Details:
Welcome Fall Pumpkins Metal Sign / Antique Farmhouse
Ladder / Favorite Antique Mall
Potting Bench with Reclaimed Barn Wood and Chippy Porch Columns
Jute Table Runner / Pottery Barn, many years ago
🍂 🍂 🍂
Visit my flowers friends to see their blooming inspiration this week:
Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse
Pam at Everyday Living
Shannon at Belle Bleu Interiors
Good morning, Mary. The potting bench is dressed in autumn’s finery with pumpkins, flowers, bittersweet vine and Indian Corn. Your DIY explanation is so easy to follow, as always. Your choice of flowers make a lovely blooming pumpkin. The Mother of Pearl Rose is lovely mixed in with hydrangeas, mums, Abelia, and Vitex seed pods. How sweet is the Pearl Rose and lovely reminder of your beloved mother-in-law, Betty and a precious gift from friends that keeps on giving. I enjoy seeing your autumnal bittersweet vine, there is none to be found around here. Oh those ladder baskets are perfect for displaying Indian corn and limelight blooms. Completing the gorgeous fall vignette is the Welcome Fall metal sign and of course, pumpkins. Like you, I can never have too many pumpkins and flowers. Thank you for this stunning display on this second day of our favorite month. Happy October 🍂🧡🍁
Absolutely beautiful! The entire potting shelf is a celebration of all I love about fall. I will enjoy studying this many times. Thank you
Oh, Mary, how I love your potting bench and how you decorate it for the seasons! We must be kindred spirits as we like the same things. Have a great October!
Happy October, Mary and wow! That saturated color on the potting bench is a true eye catcher! I love the moody colors. You’re so smart thenway you made that arrangement, even thinking of the drip plate. Perfection.
Autumnlishous, Your blooming pumpkin is just the thing to bring autumn to your tablescape….
Your “HAPPY PLACE!!”” INCREDIBLE!! franki
Fall at “Home Is Where The Boat Is” is my favorite season!! From your gorgeous Stacked Pumpkin Blooms 🎃 to my favorite Potting shed!! Every detail is a delight to behold!! I wish you a most Fabulous Fall and glorious October! 🍁 Miss my Bloom friends!
Your blooming pumpkin is beautiful Mary! I have tried your method and it is so much better than cutting into a pumpkin, and I’m a huge fan of Crowning Glory. Your potting bench decorated with pumpkins and hydrangeas is “Fall-tastic!” I love the vintage pumpkin sign. Happy Pumpkin Season!
Jenna
Love every square inch of your creativity, grateful for the olden days with you.
Good morning, Mary! The photograph of your entire potting bench with the blooming pumpkin, bittersweet, pumpkins, Indian corn, and hydrangeas is absolutely stunning! It belongs in a magazine. The colors you chose for your blooming pumpkin arrangement are so striking. I noticed those beautiful roses first thing. What a special treasure to have in memory of your dear mother in law. Those pesky Japanese beetles can wreak such havoc. I’m so happy that you were able to save your roses and have another bloom season. Thank you so much for inviting me to join you for this edition of Monday Morning Blooms. It is always a joy! Happy October! Enjoy every moment sweet friend!
The fall season at your HomeIsWhereTheBoatIs is my favorite season too, along with Shirley! What a gorgeous color combination the flowers on your blooming pumpkin make, those Mother of Pearl roses are beyond! ( looking for those although we don’t really have any more room in the garden!). Your potting shed looks so lovely and ready make lift hearts and spirits for fall, Mary. Stunning, as always. Wishing you a sweet and wonderful October dear friend! Xo Lidy
Mary, Your blooming pumpkin is so colorful and pretty. Your Welcome Fall sign is a gorgeous backdrop! I love it! What a perfect way to welcome in October with floral pumpkins. Your potting bench is beautifully decorated. We’re getting a cold front mid week so we’re going to get the cooler temps which we want desperately! Hope it comes your way. Happy Monday! Clara❤️
What a gorgeous post! Everything is beautiful. I love that you stacked the pumpkins and not cutting required. You always have amazing ideas to share. Thank you so much.
Wow Mary! This is one of my favorite stylings that you have done! I just love, love, love how you put together the Potting Bench with your lovely Pumpkin Vase and all your beautiful Fall decorations. I have the Welcome Fall Pumpkin Sign above my mantel on my fireplace. It is one of my favorites! Carry on my wayward one…you are so gifted!
Your lovely posts are always so fabulous. Happy October to you amid the beauty, Mary!
Your delightful posts are always so joyfully received. Happy fabulous October to you!
Oh Mary, that is absolutely stunning. Every single picture is gorgeous. Happy October!!!
My fav month of the year, too! Enjoy each moment!!
Mary, your pumpkin is gorgeous. How sweet to not cut into the pumpkin. Your tables and pumpkins are lovely. I love the metal pumpkin sign. Unfortunately they are sold out. Happy October.
Beautiful, as usual. Love your blog!
What an autumnal delight! Each detail is so beautiful! Where does one find bittersweet in NC. I know it’s an invasive vine, but I used to find it growing on the side of the road in NY. Now that I have moved to the upstate SC, I haven’t seen it anywhere around here.
Thank you Julianna! I grows wild in the mountains of NC. They were selling bundles of it where I bought a few of my pumpkins this year.
Mary your flowers are gorgeous. Thank You for the Pumpkin information.
Marilyn,Joan and marion
All your blooming pumpkin tablescapes and arrangements are so beautiful!Your dramatic stacking pumpkins with the top one blooming is stunning. Perfect scale for your tall potting benchl You have the best ideas.
Thanks for sharing how you rescued the rose from the Japanese beetles. How lovely and meaningful to have blooms to use so near your dear Betty’s birthday. I know you miss her.
I enjoyed my visit today! Have a wonderful week. Our weather is so nice but we need rain badly.
Happy Fall!🍁🍁🍁
Your potting shed is displayed in autumn glory, Mary!! I have always loved your pumpkins that have the floral toppers. I did one a few years back from your instructions and need to do one again. Your antique Fall sign is beautiful! 🍂🧡🍁
Wow Mary the potting bench looks wonderful! Love the floral arrangement and the tutorial on how you do it! Your choice of flowers are so beautiful! Glad the roses came back in time for your arrangement!
Liz @ Home and Gardening With Liz
Good Morning Mary! I enjoyed seeing your potting bench decorated so beautifully for Autumn! From the bittersweet vine, the hydrangeas, and all the gorgeous pumpkins! Especially the Blooming Pumpkin! Thanks for the excellent tutorial! I also enjoyed seeing your Mother of Pearl rose. What a lovely gift in remembrance of your mother-in-law.
Happy October!
You girls are each shining stars! I’m so inspired to work on my own fall table after reading these posts, including linking back to your previous tables for another looksee! I’m going to use flowers and pumpkins in my tablescape for sure.
The potting shed is decked out in regal style. Love it! Where have you found bittersweet vine? Do you have it growing wild? I have to depend on the flower markets here, and it has yet to appear. Have to have my bittersweet!
Thanks for continuing to inspire me, Mary. Happy Autumn!
Thank you Sarah! Bittersweet vine grows wild in the NC mountains. One of the garden centers where I bought a few pumpkins had small bunches for sale. Happy October to you 🍂🍁🧡
Thank you for another great tutorial! Your potting bench is awesome and I love your awesome pumpkin sign. You find the best things! I smile to myself when I come upon something you have that I have purchased ( or won in your awesome giveaways) and I say thank you Mary! I have quite a collection and love every item! 🤗