This is the last Thursday in October; we’re inching our way to Thanksgiving! But there’s still enough time to create a bit of decoration you’ve had on your to do list since driving past that farm stand packed with those jolly, fat fellows. And I’ve noticed this year that more of the quirky, odd-colored pumpkins are making a showing — my favorites!

Which is inspiring something new for this year…actually designing around their colors and shapes, selecting plant material to create arrangements that will be around the house for the month of November. You saw one in last week’s blog, and now here’s a How-To!

With this arrangement, I actually chose a favorite metal garden topiary form that could only be shown off to its full advantage with a twining vine accentuating its curves…bittersweet. Its pliable form and red/golden berries pick up the orange markings on the deep green pumpkin (can you get any funkier than this example?). Of course, we all know that bittersweet is terribly invasive (and all my garden club friends are shaking their fingers at me). But I’m making an exception, cutting only what is needed for the arrangement and keeping it contained to just this one design. And then it will be burned in the fireplace.

Note: Spraying the vines heavily with hairspray will help keep the berries in place.

How-To Create a Pumpkin Arrangement

Materials: Pumpkin, Bittersweet, Moss and Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue

1. Cut off the top of the pumpkin and dig out enough to fit the form securely in place; fill with dirt.
2. Squeeze glue along the cut rim of the pumpkin. Place a collar of green moss around the entire rim and press firmly into the glue. Plant other small greenery into the dirt so that it comes out over the edge (we used iron vine).
3. Choosing three or four of the longest and most pliable branches, stake them into the dirt and weave them in and out of the metal ribs; wind them up to and around the narrow top.

4. Finish by taking shorter, curved branches and running them up the alternating ribs of the form.
5. Add another curved  branch extending down  either side of the pumpkin to add interest.

5. Clip off any straight, projecting branches that interrupt the flow and form of the topiary piece itself which will also allow the top detail to be well shown off.

And now for decorating with this arrangement…all around the house.

Have fun!! Each one will be a stand-alone, never to be repeated. This is an opportunity to stretch your imagination…