A gourd-geous mix to bring on bliss

WHAT’S NEW

This fall, florists are arranging a mix of fiery-hued blooms in petite pumpkins to bring the golden beauty of autumn to any space. “Here, decadent layers of fluffy yellow and orange dahlias, scarlet rosehips and rust-colored foliage pop off the crisp white blossoms and ivory mini pumpkin,” says floral designer Gabriele DeFrances. “It’s a lovely high-contrast seasonal display that’s sure to impress everyone!”

GET THE LOOK

Slice off the top third of a 4"-tall white pumpkin (or paint a pumpkin white!) and scoop out the pulp and seeds. Nestle a 3"-tall glass filled halfway with water inside, then snip 8 yellow and orange dahlias and several handfuls of white asters and feverfew to 7 to 9 inches. Insert the blooms into the glass one at a time, crisscrossing the stems to form a soft, rounded mound. To finish, tuck in a few rosehips and fall leaves from your yard.

INSIDER’S SECRET

Pumpkin rinds are delicate and can fade quickly—especially when they’re cut and exposed to oxygen, which speeds up decay. To keep your pumpkin perky for a week or more, keep the display in a cooler spot away from heat sources that accelerate ripening. Also smart: Every few days, remove the vase and give the gourd a two-minute “bath” in a basin filled with water and 3⁄4 cup of bleach to ward off bacteria.