In a Vase on Monday: Seasonal Succulents

Happy Halloween!



In keeping with the holiday, I thought I'd decorate a pumpkin this week and, as I haven't used succulents in an "In a Vase on Monday" post this year, it was high time to do so.  My inspiration stemmed from the photos of succulent-topped pumpkins I've seen on-line and, more recently, on a visit to one of my favorite garden centers.

One of the succulent-topped pumpkins that provided inspiration for this week's "vase"

After viewing a couple of how-to videos on pumpkin decorating, I decided to give it a try.  I picked up a fancy pumpkin at the supermarket and, as I wasn't about to venture into a craft store so close to Halloween (too scary!), I made do with the craft supplies the supermarket offered, a tacky spray and a glue pen.  I already had sphagnum moss on hand.

With a chance of rain on Sunday (Halloween is about tricks as well as treats), I went to work on this project on Saturday so I could keep my mess outside.  I started by collecting succulent cuttings from my garden.



The succulents were dusty and dirty so I positioned them on a pair of plastic chairs and hosed them off before I began working with them.

As with the vases I create using flowers, I cut much more than I needed

Then the pumpkin came out.

I'm sure this pumpkin has a name but the supermarket label just said "fancy pumpkin"

The moss followed.

DIY instructions recommend applying tacky spray to the top of the pumpkin followed by a one-quarter to half-inch layer of moss, creating a toupée of sorts

I then trimmed the moss to make a less sloppy toupée

I meant to take in process photos as I positioned the succulents but I got absorbed by the project, as well as getting my fingers sticky with glue, so there aren't any further in process photos.  The construction wasn't difficult, although some of the heavier succulents drooped at times and had to be re-positioned.  The experts use a hot glue gun, which apparently does a better job keeping the succulent pieces in place, but I didn't have one of those.



After cleaning up, I took photos of the completed pumpkin from 4 angles outside.

I don't have a complete inventory of the succulents I used but they include: Aeonium haworthii 'Kiwi', Crassula pubescens ssp radicans, Graptopetalum 'Darley Sunshine', Graptosedum 'California Sunset', Graptosedum 'Vera Higgins', Graptoveria 'Fred Ives', Portulacaria afra 'Variegata', and a noID Rhipsalis.  I also tucked in berries of Nandina domestica and Auranticarpa rhombifolia.

I'd forgotten to take a top-view photo of the arrangement when I was working outside so I did that after coming inside.



In about a week, after the glue has been allowed to thoroughly dry, I can mist the succulents to keep the arrangement fresh.  When the pumpkin itself begins to decay, the succulent cuttings can be removed and reused in the garden.  I've already popped the cuttings I didn't use back into the garden.

The completed pumpkin currently sits on the dining room table.



The displaced vase from last week was moved to the front entry, sans the Grevillea and poppies, which were past their prime.



The exterior entry has been dressed up for the holiday too.

You get bonus points if you can identify the flower the skeleton lounging on the bench has in his teeth

I hope you enjoy the holiday!  Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to see what she and other meme participants have cooked up this week.


All material © 2012-2016 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party