Plethora of Pumpkins

September 28–November 3, 2024
Perennial Garden

As guests enter the Perennial Garden, they’ll be greeted with a fall display featuring the fan-favorite Pumpkin Wall, which demonstrates the sheer variety of pumpkins and gourds available today!

As you explore the variety of gourds we have in our Fall-O-Ween display, try some of our recipes featuring fall’s favorite fruit at home for the perfect seasonal meal!

• Corn, Squash, and Bean Stew
• Three Sisters Salad
• Calabasas Squash, Tomatoes and Queso Fresco
• Sautéed Butternut Squash with Maple Syrup
• Candied Squash with Whipped Cream
• Long Island Cheese Pumpkin with Coconut and Curry
• Pumpkin Seed Salsa

Cucurbita maxima

The bright-yellow color of this cultivar is a result of years of breeding by Brent Loy of New Hampshire.

Uses: Decoration

Cucurbita maxima

This blue-gray pumpkin gets its name from Jarrahdale, New Zealand, where it originated.

Uses: Sweet and savory cooking

Cucurbita pepo

Small pumpkins with big personality can sometimes make the biggest impact in your fall decorations.

Uses: Decoration

Cucurbita maxima ‘Galeux d’Eysine’

The peanut-shaped warts on this cultivar are caused by an excess of sugar that bubbles to the surface and hardens.

Uses: Sweet, best for pies

Lagenaria siceraria

Gourds like this one make for great bird-houses when they are dried.

Uses: Decoration

Cucurbita moschata

Initially a dark green, this cultivar becomes a tan color as it ripens on the vine.

Uses: Decoration

Cucurbita maxima

This cultivar is actually white with veins that vary in color from green to orange to red.

Uses: Sweet, best for pies

Cucurbita pepo

While many pumpkins are bred to have smooth skin, this cultivar is bred to have green and yellow warts.

Uses: Decoration

Cucurbita moschata

This cultivar first came to market on Long Island in 1807, making it one of the oldest domesticated squashes.

Uses: Sweet and savory cooking

Cucurbita argyrosperma

Cushaws are also known as crookneck squash, and are great for making pies and roasting.

Uses: Sweet and savory cooking

Cucurbita pepo

The longer this pumpkin stays on the vine the more warty it gets.

Uses: Decoration

Cucurbita maxima

Native to South America, this squash has been grown in New England since the 1830s.

Uses: Sweet and savory cooking

Cucurbita pepo

These gourds come in a wide variety of colors ranging from white to dark green to yellow to black.

Uses: Decoration

Lagenaria siceraria

When cut and dried these gourds can be used as ladles, or dippers.

Uses: Decoration

Cucurbita argyrosperma

This pumpkin is named for its delicious seeds, which are white with silver edges.

Uses: Sweet and savory cooking

Cucurbita pepo

Unlike other white pumpkins, ‘Crystal Star’ stays white throughout the season instead of yellowing or turning gray.

Uses: Decoration

Cucurbita moschata

This cultivar was created in France, and is also known as Musquee de Provence.

Uses: Sweet and savory cooking

Cucurbita pepo

The muted caramel color of this pumpkin will stand out in your display.

Uses: Decoration

Cucurbita pepo

Originally grown for its oil rich seeds, the seeds can be pressed to produce a dark oil perfect for soup or salad dressing.

Uses: Savory cooking

Cucurbita pepo

The thick, dark green stem of ‘Wolf’ creates a beautiful contrast with the burnt orange skin.

Uses: Savory cooking

Explore our virtual herbarium—a repository of dried examples of plant species from around the world—and read about autumnal favorites in the collection.

Oh My Gourd – Beautiful herbarium specimens of gourds, squashes and pumpkins.

Witches – Explore our round up of witch-y herbarium specimens and the source of their peculiar names.

Mulled Cider – Making cider this fall? Learn about the spices that go into your favorite drink.

Explore the fall-inspired flavors created with the best produce the season has to offer.

Stovetop Glazed Carrots

Confetti Corn

Herb Popcorn

Corn, Squash, and Bean Soup

Autumn Bean Salad

Fall Garden Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing