Pumpkin Centerpiece

The Coastal Gardener Makes a Pumpkin Centerpiece

By Melissa Caughey on October 3

 

 

A beach inspired centerpiece for fall.

With all of the gardening talent out there, we thought we’d share some of the blogosphere’s most intriguing voices in our regular Guest Speaker series. First up: Melissa Caughey, a Massachusetts chicken and garden blogger at Tilly’s Nest with an avid following who will offer her coastal gardening insights and tips.—HGTVGardens
Each year with the arrival of fall, I can’t help but notice a more diverse selection of gourds and pumpkins available at both pumpkin patches and local garden centers. This week, I have decided to share a wonderful living centerpiece that, for me, evokes memories of a bonfire on the beach while surrounded by water, sand and sea grasses dancing in the dunes. The blue pumpkin represents the sea while incorporating a variety of air plants (tillandsia) aids in mimicking sea grass. The entire project takes less than 30 minutes and would make a lovely centerpiece indoors or out.

You'll just need a few supplies for this easy-to-create centerpiece.

Here is what you will need:
1 blue pumpkin — approximately 12 inches in diameter
1 glass cylindrical vase — approximately 4 inches across
Approximately 10 cups of beach sand
1 small candle (I used a tea light).
5 air plants
3 dried starfish or shells
Ink pen
Sharp knife
Glass plate
Directions:
1. Invert the cylindrical vase and center it on the top of the pumpkin. While holding the vase, trace around the circumference of the vase with the ink pen. Remove the vase and set it aside.

Use an ink pen to trace out an opening to use as a cutting guide.

2. Increase the circumference of the circle that you just traced onto the pumpkin by approximately 1 ½ to 2 inches. This will serve as your entry to the pumpkin.
3. Slowly and carefully cut around the outer ink pen circle with a sharp knife. Remove and discard the top and scrape out the pumpkin until the entire inside contents are removed and the walls are clean.
4. Pour some beach sand into the empty pumpkin to act as a base for your vase. When the pumpkin is almost half full of sand, add the vase and continue to fill in the sand around the vase until you reach the upper rim of the pumpkin. Fill the vase half-way with sand. Insert the candle into the vase on top of the sand.

Step four: completed!

5. Tuck the assorted air plants into the sand around the vase. Add some shells or starfish for decoration.
6. Place your arrangement on a sturdy glass or ceramic plate. Light the candle and enjoy.

And voila! Your beautiful coastal centerpiece complete with air plants and starfish is ready.

This centerpiece, inside the home at room temperature, lasts approximately 4-5 days depending on the freshness of the pumpkin at time of purchase. The centerpiece will last longer in cooler outside temperatures. Air plants can tolerate temperatures to 45 degrees F and can remain outdoors all year round in Zones 9 and greater. Indirect sunlight and a weekly misting of water is all they require to keep them happy. Also, as a safety reminder, be sure to never leave a burning candle unattended.