Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera
Ornamental pumpkin
Common names: Decorative pumpkin
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Description
The ornamental pumpkin is a trailing decorative variety of garden pumpkin that bears small, often brightly patterned and slightly bitter fruits. It is not intended for consumption—many cultivars contain bitter cucurbitacins and are inedible or even poisonous. As an autumn decoration for tables and wreaths, it can be kept for months.
Care instructions
Sow from May directly into the garden or start indoors in April and transplant to a sunny fence or trellis where it can climb. Water at the roots during dry periods and allow the fruits to ripen to full color in October. Cut them off with a stem stub, then dry and store them over winter.
Companion planting
Good neighbours
Rather not
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