For the love of PUMPKINS!

Pumpkins are iconic symbols of autumn, deeply intertwined with Thanksgiving (and Halloween). While the classic bright orange pumpkin is most recognisable, these versatile gourds belong to the Cucurbita family. Colours include deep red, pale blue, slate grey, orange, green, golden yellow and white; some have variegated patterns. 

For Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations, pumpkins are indispensable. They represent the 'Bounty of the harvest' and are most famously featured in pumpkin pie. Beyond the plate, they're used in decor to evoke feelings of warmth, gratitude, and seasonal charm.

Ideas For Using Pumpkins In Decor

· Classic Porch Display: Arrange an assortment of pumpkins in varying sizes, shapes, and colours (such as orange, white, and heirloom blue) along your front steps, mixing them with hay bales and corn stalks.

· Monogrammed Welcome: Use paint or metallic markers to write "THANKFUL" or your family's initial on a large pumpkin placed prominently near the entryway.

· Table Centrepiece: Create a lush table runner by lining miniature pumpkins and gourds down the centre of the dining table, interspaced with eucalyptus branches and tea light candles.

· Floral Vase: Hollow out a medium-sized pumpkin, insert a glass jar or florist foam, and use it as a seasonal vase for autumnal flowers like mums, sunflowers, and dried wheat.

· Place Settings: Place a single "Jack Be Little" miniature pumpkin at each guest's plate, featuring a small slit in the stem to hold a handwritten name card.

· Succulent Planters: Carve out the top of small pumpkins and plant various succulents inside for a modern, textured look that lasts throughout the holiday weekend.

· Fireplace Hearth Arrangement: Group white and metallic-painted pumpkins around the base of the fireplace, pairing them with lanterns and oversized pinecones for a cozy indoor focal point.

· Tiered Stand Display: Arrange mini pumpkins, acorns, and artificial berries on a wooden or galvanised metal three-tiered tray for a rustic kitchen counter accent.

· Glass Cloche Feature: Place a single, perfectly shaped velvet or ceramic pumpkin inside a large glass cloche to create a sophisticated and clean tabletop decoration.

· Hanging Basket Fillers: Replace summer flowers in hanging porch baskets with moss and lightweight foam pumpkins for a seasonal element.

You might like to visit my Thanksgiving page HERE.

Or my Halloween Page HERE.

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#pumpkins #Thanksgiving #halloween

Quotes, Quotes, Quotes!

Here's a selection of my latest quotes.

Enjoy!

And feel free to share too!

:)

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#lifequotes #inspirationalquotes #quotes #artquotes

Colourful Garden Shop Haul!

I have just visited the town Garden Centre, and thought I would share my floral haul with you all! 

Gerberas are the undisputed cheerleaders of the garden. Available in a kaleidoscopic array of neon pinks, fiery oranges, sunny yellows, and crisp whites, these daisy-like perennials are essential for anyone who wants their outdoor space to pop with intensity. 

For the longest vase life, pick gerberas just as the outer row of petals (ray florets) has fully opened, but before the centre disk begins to shed pollen. This ensures the stem remains sturdy and the colours stay saturated for up to two weeks on your kitchen table.

Contrasting the bold gerbera is the timeless elegance of the white scented Dianthus, often referred to as the "clove pink." While many modern hybrids have lost their fragrance, the white scented Dianthus remains a sensory powerhouse. Its fringed, snowy petals emit a deep, spicy aroma reminiscent of cloves and cinnamon, particularly in the warmth of the afternoon. These flowers are also excellent for picking; a small bunch in a bud vase can perfume an entire room.

If you are looking to add a touch of ethereal beauty to the shaded corners of your garden, look no further than Corydalis 'Porcelain Blue'. This remarkable perennial is a true standout, prized for its vibrant, electric-blue flowers that look almost too vivid to be real.

Unlike many other blue-flowered plants that lean toward purple or lilac, 'Porcelain Blue' delivers a pure, saturated sky-blue hue. The delicate, tubular blooms dangle in clusters above a mound of fine-textured, blue-green foliage that resembles lace. 

While many blue Corydalis varieties are notoriously finicky and prone to summer dormancy, 'Porcelain Blue' is bred for resilience. It boasts a longer blooming season and lacks the aggressive self-seeding tendencies of some of its cousins.

The perfume from the sky blue flowers is simply heavenly!

To help this beauty thrive, plant it in a spot with partial to full shade and rich, well-draining soil. It appreciates consistent moisture but dislikes "wet feet." Tuck it into a woodland garden, a shaded walkway, or a shady patio container.s

Gardening is, at its heart, a practice of mindfulness and a balm for the soul. In an increasingly digital world, the physical connection to the earth—the feeling of soil between your fingers and the rhythmic task of pruning and weeding provides a necessary grounding. When we cultivate a garden, we are not just growing flowers; we are cultivating a sense of peace. 

Find out more about Horticulture Therapy here.

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#gerberas #dianthus #Corydalis #floweringgardenplants