A trio of cream ceramic pumpkins, brimming with rust, orange and green, makes a Thanksgiving table that looks like it came from a florist. This season, skip the formal vase and fill a ceramic pumpkin to the brim with a variety of flowers. Make one for a side table, or create a trio in graduated sizes to run down the center of the table.
What You’ll Need
- 1 to 3 cream ceramic pumpkins in different sizes (a lidded pumpkin works well, and the lid can sit on the table as a bonus decoration)
- 1 block of floral foam
- Green floral tape
- Floral snips or sharp scissors
- A small knife
- An assortment of flowers and greenery in varying colors
Step by Step
- Soak the foam in water until it sinks on its own, about 5 minutes. Don’t push it down, since that can trap dry pockets. Cut it to fit snugly inside the pumpkin, sitting about 1 inch above the rim so stems can angle outward and downward. Shave the corners to fit the curves.
- While the foam soaks, remove any leaves that would sit below the foam line. Give each stem a fresh, angled cut so it takes up water and slides into the foam easily.
- Crisscross two strips of green floral tape over the foam, anchoring the ends to the outside of the rim.
- Start with leafy greens and leucadendron, inserting stems around the edge at an outward, slightly downward angle to cover the rim. Add a few taller stems toward the back and center to set the height.
- Cluster large focal flowers slightly off center, in groups of three. Tuck in additional flowers working outward, letting some spill toward the front. Turn the pumpkin as you work and fill any gaps with leftover greenery.
- Pour a little water into the foam without flooding the pumpkin. For a trio, put the tallest in the middle and the smaller pumpkins on either side.
Designer Tips
- Mix shapes. Round mums, spiky protea and wispy dried filler add interest.
- Stick to a tight palette. Rust, cream, orange and green is a classic Thanksgiving mix. Repeat each color two or three times.
- Keep it low. Under about 10 inches tall lets guests talk over the arrangement.
- Test for leaks. Some decorative pumpkins aren’t watertight, so fill yours with water ahead of time or use a liner.
Keeping It Fresh
Mums often last a week or more. Check the foam daily and add water when it feels light. Keep the arrangement away from heaters and direct sun, and remove fading flowers. After the holiday, save the dried stems for a wreath or winter vase.
The Finishing Touch
A few well-chosen blooms and a charming container are all you need for a table that feels warm, inviting and festive.