Autumn decoration with pumpkin

The classic for Halloween: funny or frightening grimaces cut into pumpkins.

Ornamental pumpkins are available in many different shapes and colours. You can't use them in the kitchen because of their bitter compounds, but they are wonderful as vases or plant pots for table decorations on terraces, balconies and the doorstep. Combined with Dancing Pixies, ivy twine, heather, berries, succulents and chestnuts or acorns, they make colourful atmospheric arrangements.

Here's what you need:

ornamental pumpkin, potting soil, knife, spoon, wire, Dancing Pixies, heather, ivy twine, prickly heath, stonecrop

Step 1

Cut off the top and scoop the pumpkin out. Make a small hole into the bottom to allow excess water to drain.

Step 2

Fill pumpkin with standard soil mix for bedding and border plants from your favourite garden retailer.

Step 3

Remove Dancing Pixies from the pot and plant in the pumpkin.

Step 4

Cut some shoots of heather, prickly heath and stonecrop, bundle with wire and stick into the pumpkin. Wind ivy twine around the Dancing Pixies and fix with wire.

Finished!