Fall DIY Project: Pumpkin-Shaped Eucalyptus Arrangement

1. Start by tracing an outline in the shape of a pumpkin (or another shape of your choosing) on the cardboard. It’s best to use a thick, dense piece of cardboard to ensure the arrangement’s longevity and support the weight of the plants.

2. Cut along the outline. Add holes to the pumpkin shape throughout using a hole punch, scissor edge or (carefully) a hammer and thick nail. If you are doing this project with little ones, supervise this step.

3. Add two parallel holes below the stem and create a small loop with floral wire so you can hang your finished arrangement. Double the loop to provide added stability and twist the wire back on itself to secure it.

4. To save time, cut your floral wire lengths in advance. I used several 1-inch pieces and several pieces between 8 and 10 inches long. Bunch two to four small branches and wrap them with the wire to hold them in place.

5. Repeat to make enough small branches to create the “base” of the pumpkin and cover the cardboard.

6. Place your bunches on the cardboard. Weave a few long pieces of wire through the holes and around the branches to secure the branches, then twist the wires back on themselves or around another branch to hold them in place. Avoid having too much wire showing on top, although this can easily be corrected later as you add more branches.

7. Continue adding branches to fill in the entire piece of cardboard. At this point, it’s OK if the some of the cardboard shows through.

8. Fill in as much as possible with smaller branches and tightly wire these to nearby branches.

9. If you are having a hard time covering the edges, simply trim a little of the visible cardboard away. Avoid cutting the wire or trimming too close to the holes.

10. Trim the leaves to form a flatter base and show off the form. The final shape and depth of the leaves will depend on your preferences. I took out most of the leaves and left more seeds as the base.

Once your pumpkin has taken shape, add a bit of color as the stem. I used Misty Blue limonium and wired it to the branches below.

11. Finish by adding some contrasting colors, such as flowers, to create the ridges on the rind.

Colorful flowers can also become eyes and a mouth for a jack-o’-lantern arrangement. Try maple leaves for eyes and twigs for the mouth.