Ornamental Pumpkins

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Ornamental pumpkins is a term used by growers and sellers of pumpkins. It designates a category of pumpkins whose main purpose is decorative display.

There are two subcategories: miniature, and Jack-O-Lantern.

Miniatures are very small, for display in the home in a basket, on a mantle or as a table centrepiece.

Jack-O-Lantern types are large, and intended for fall display outside the home, or for use as a painted or carved Jack-O-Lantern.

The extremely large pumpkins for shows and competitions weigh hundreds of pounds. They have to be managed very carefully, and each single one nursed while growing.

Lop-sided ornamental pumpkins, or ones that are flat on one side because of where they grew on the ground, fetch lower prices. For giant pumpkins, though, this is considered both acceptable and unavoidable.

Squat or deeply ridged ornamentals have a nice market to themselves for display.

The colour of an ornamental pumpkin is also important. Most consumers expect and demand a uniform orange colour, though uniquely coloured ones, such as Jarradale which is greyish-blue, also have a novel appearance which can be pleasing.

Smaller-sized ornamentals, hollowed out, can also be used to present food such as soup in.

Only a few ornamentals are also good for pies: examples are Lumina, Fairytale, and Jarradale.

Some smaller pumpkins, such as pie pumpkins, can also be displayed as is as an ornamental

In the US, Hallowe’en ornamentals are usually left out for Thanksgiving if they are uncarved. In Canada, outside decoration for Thanksgiving is less common; display of ornamental pumpkins outside the house is mostly done just for Hallowe’en still.

Varieties of ornamental pumpkins

Aladdin Pumpkins

Aladdin pumpkins have a thick, deep orange coloured rind with average rib depth. They are mostly round, being 12 inches (30 cm) wide by 15 inches (40 cm) tall, and weighing 30 to 50 pounds (13 to 23 kg.) They have a long, thin, slightly rubbery...

Atlantic Giant Pumpkins

Atlantic Giant Pumpkins are enormous, pumpkin-size competition pumpkins. They can grow up to 400 pounds (180 kg) or more in the right conditions, but 50 to 100 pounds (22 ½ to 45 kg) is more common. To get larger sizes, you prune blossoms off the ...

Baby Boo Pumpkins

Baby Boo Pumpkins are small, round, white ornamental pumpkins that are flattened on top, with ridges.

Big Moon Pumpkins

Big Moon Pumpkins have rich orange, slightly-rough rind with moderate ribbing. They can grow to be up to 250 pounds (115 kg.) They have large, brown seeds. The pumpkins grow on a vine type plant, with 1 to 2 pumpkins per vine. 110 days from...

Big Rock Pumpkins

Big Rock Pumpkins are an ornamental Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkin. They are round and blocky. 100 days from seed. History Notes Big Rock Pumpkins were developed by Johnny's Seeds.

Cannonball Pumpkins

Cannonball Pumpkins are almost perfectly round. They have bright orange coloured rind, with slight ribbing, and a strong handle, large for the size of the pumpkin. They will weigh an average of 5 pounds (2.3 kg.) These are ornamental pumpkins. F1...

Cinderella Pumpkins

Opinion is divided on Cinderella Pumpkins. Some call it the gourmet's pumpkin; others say it is insipid and bland. But all agree it's shape makes it a beautiful ornamental pumpkin for display.

Connecticut Field Pumpkins

Connecticut Field Pumpkins have a light yellow, coarse, flesh that has reasonable flavour for pies and canning, but it is a bit watery for pies, and has a very plain, mild taste. The texture can also be stringy.

Fairytale Pumpkins

Fairytale pumpkins are marketed as an ornamental pumpkin, but they can also be eaten. They are flattened in shape, with pronounced ribs. They have orange flesh inside.

Gold Fever Pumpkins

Gold Fever are round, uniformly-sized pumpkins with dark orange, slightly-ribbed rind and very large, strong handles. They grow 12 inches (30 cm) wide by 16 inches (40 cm) tall and weigh 15 to 18 pounds (7 to 8 kg.) These are ornamental pumpkins. F1...

Gold Rush Pumpkins

Gold Rush Pumpkins have dark orange moderately ribbed rind, with thick walls and a thick, short handle about 3 inches (7 1/2 cm) wide, and 4 inches (10 cm) long. They will grow to be about 7 to 8 inches (18 to 20 cm) wide and 30 to 40 pounds (13 ½ ...

Gold Standard Pumpkins

Gold Standard Pumpkins are a Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkin. They are uniformly-sized, and round, but a bit squat, with moderate ribbing, orange rind, and sturdy, green handles. They will weigh 15 to 18 pounds (7 to 8 kg.) They grow on a vine-type...

Happy Jack Pumpkins

Happy Jack are Jack-O-Lantern type pumpkins. They have a rich orange rind with moderate ribbing, and a firmly-attached handle. They will weigh 15 to 25 pounds (6 3/4 to 11 kg.) Good for carving. History Notes Happy Jack Pumpkins were developed...

Howden Biggie Pumpkins

Howden Biggie are tall, Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkins, with a hard, rich orange rind with moderate ribbing. They have thick, green, firmly-attached but short handles, and a thick flesh wall. They will grow to be 18" (45 cm) wide by 26" (65 cm)...

Iron Man Pumpkins

Iron Man Pumpkins are round, with hard, orange rind with slight ribbing, and long, thick handles for their size. Each will weigh 3 to 4 pounds (1 1/3 to 1 3/4 kg.) These are ornamental pumpkins. F1 hybrid. Storage Hints Good storage life. History...

Jack of All Trades Pumpkins

Jack of All Trades are uniformly-sized pumpkins, with dark orange rind, and firmly attached handles. They will weigh 9 to 20 pounds (4 to 9 kg.) They grow on an F1 hybrid semi-bush plant. 90 days from seed. History Notes Jack of All Trades...

Jack Pot Pumpkins

Jack Pot are uniformly-sized pumpkins, round, with glossy orange, hard rind with slight ribbing They grow to be 10 to 18 inches (25 to 45 cm) tall, and weigh 10 to 30 lbs (4 ½ to 13 ½ kg.) They are marketed as good for pies or Jack-O-Lanterns. Grows o...

Jack-O'-Lantern Pumpkins

Jack-O'-Lantern Pumpkins are round, but a bit tall, with orange rind with slight ribbing, and yellowish-orange flesh. They grow to be 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) tall by 8 inches (20 cm) wide, and weigh 8 to 10 pounds (3 1/2 to 4 1/2 kg.) They...

Jack-O'-Lantern Type Pumpkins

A Jack-O'-Lantern Type Pumpkin is a large ornamental pumpkin meant for display. It is particularly used, carved, for fall displays outside the home. You can buy inexpensive carving kits that give you a lot more control than a knife out of the kitchen...

Big Rock Pumpkins

Big Rock Pumpkins are an ornamental Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkin. They are round and blocky. 100 days from seed. History Notes Big Rock Pumpkins were developed by Johnny's Seeds.

Gold Standard Pumpkins

Howden Biggie Pumpkins

Howdy Doody Pumpkins

Howdy Doody are Jack-O-Lantern type pumpkins. They are mostly round, though they can be on the tall or squat side. They have moderately-ribbed, dark orange rind, with firmly attached, thick, dark green handles and thick flesh walls. They will weigh...

Jack Pot Pumpkins

Jack-O'-Lantern Pumpkins

Jumpin Jack Pumpkins

Jumpin Jack Pumpkins are Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkins. They are tall, with dark orange, rough rind, and thick flesh walls. They normally weigh 35 to 60 pounds (16 to 27kg), but can weigh up to 100 pounds (45 kg.) 100 to 120 days from seed. Protected...

Magic Lantern Pumpkins

Magic Lantern Pumpkins are round, occasionally taller than round, with moderate ribbing and a long, thin, rubbery dark green handle. The rind ripens from dark green to dark orange. The pumpkins will be 12 inches (30 cm) wide by 14 inches (36 cm)...

Neon Pumpkins

Neon Pumpkins are Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkins. They have orange rind, with thick, dark green almost black handles. They grow 7 to 10 inches (18 to 25 cm) wide and up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall, weighing 7 to 10 pounds (3 to 4 ½ kg.) Inside, ...

Ol Zeb's Pumpkins

Ol Zeb's Pumpkins are Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkins. They have a somewhat uneven, orange rind with deep ribbing, and a long, thin handle. They weigh 20 to 30 pounds (9 to 13 kg.) The vine-type plant delivers high yields. 100 to 110 days from...

Racer Pumpkins

Racer Pumpkins are a Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkin. They are uniformly-sized pumpkins, round tending to squat sometimes, with dark orange rind with pronounced ribbing, and a large, thick, firmly-attached handle They will weigh 12 to 18 pounds (5...

Rocket Pumpkins

Rocket Pumpkins are Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkins. They are tall, with a rind that turns bright orange quickly, and pronounced ribbing, with a long, firmly-attached green handle. The pumpkins will weigh 12 to 20 pounds (5 ½ to 9 kg.) F1 hybrid 95 ...

Rockstar Pumpkins

Rockstar Pumpkins are Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkins. They are tall, with bright orange colour and a dark green handle. F1 hybrid plant with long vines. 98 to 115 days from seed. History Notes Rockstar Pumpkins were developed by Johnny's Selected...

Schooltime Pumpkins

Schooltime Pumpkins are smaller Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkins. They have a dark orange rind, with a dark green handle firmly attached. They will weigh 8 to 10 pounds (3 ½ to 4 ½ kg.) They are aimed at the classroom market for children to carve s...

Sorcerer Pumpkins

Sorcerer Pumpkins are a Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkin. They are round, with dark orange rind with moderate ribbing, and a long, thin dark green handle. They grow to be 10 inches (25 cm) wide, and weigh an average of 15 pounds (7 kg.) F1 hybrid. History...

Spirit Pumpkins

Spirit Pumpkins are a Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkin. They have bright orange skin, and grow to be 12 inches (30 cm) wide, weighing 10 to 15 pounds (4 ½ to 6 ¾ kg.) Their yellow flesh is okay for cooking. The plant is an F1 hybrid semi-bush, w...

Streaker Pumpkins

Streaker Pumpkins are round, with deep orange rind. They grow to be 9 inches (23 cm) wide and tall, and weigh around 8 pounds (3 1/2 kg.) They are fairly multi-purpose pumpkins. They can be used as a Jack-O'-Lantern type for carving or display,...

Super Herc Pumpkins

Super Herc Pumpkins have rich orange skin and a firmly-attached, large handle. They grow to be 30 to 40 pounds (13 ½ to 18 kg) in weight. Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkin. High yields. F1 hybrid. Language Notes Super Herc Pumpkins used to be ...

Thomas Halloween Pumpkins

Thomas Halloween Pumpkins are Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkins. They have a bright, full orange coloured, hard rind, with moderate ribbing and thick flesh walls. They weigh 15 to 30 pounds (4 ½ to 6 ¾ kg.) The pumpkins ships and handle well owing t...

Tom Fox Pumpkins

Tom Fox Pumpkins are Jack-O-Lantern type pumpkins. Their shape can vary somewhat. They have deep orange rind, with moderate ribbing and a strong, firmly-attached dark-green handle. They will weigh 10 to 25 pounds (4 ½ to 11 kg.) They grow ...

Tricky Jack Pumpkins

Tricky Jack Pumpkins are small-sized pumpkins with a bright orange rind. They have good flavour and hulless seeds. They are marketed for use as a Jack-O'-Lantern or for pie. The plant is a hybrid bush type, with a 4 feet (1.2 metre) spread. History...

Trojan Pumpkins

Trojan Pumpkins are a Jack-O'-Lantern type pumpkin. They are tall, though the size and shape will vary. They have medium-orange rind with moderate ribbing. The handles on them are less reliable when dry. 110 days from seed.

Young's Beauty Pumpkins

Young's Beauty Pumpkins have bright orange, hard rind, with moderate ribbing, and thick flesh walls. The pumpkins grow to be 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) wide, and weigh 8 to 15 pounds (3 ½ to 7 kg.) They are marketed as being good for both pies ...

Jumpin Jack Pumpkins

Kakai Pumpkins

Kakai Pumpkin is a pumpkin grown for its large, dark-green hull-less seeds, which are used as snack seed. The seeds are good tasting both raw and roasted. The pumpkins are round in shape. The relatively soft rind ripens from shades of green to broken,...

Lil' Ironsides Pumpkins

Lil' Ironsides are small pumpkins, with very smooth, bright-orange skin, and only faint ribs. They are used as an ornamental pumpkin. They grow to be 6 inches (15 cm) wide by 4 inches (10 cm) tall, and weigh 1 1/2 to 2 pounds (700 to 900g.) They...

Lumina Pumpkins

Lumina Pumpkins are flattened somewhat in shape, with a smooth rind that can be anywhere in colour from a pale golden to white tinged with blue to very white. A blue tinge is more likely to show up in cool, damp weather. They have only slight ribbing. They...

Magic Lantern Pumpkins

Miniature Pumpkins

Miniature Pumpkins are a category of very small pumpkins grown as ornamentals pumpkins. They can be white or orange or another colour, ribbed or not ribbed. The flesh inside can be yellow or orange.

Gold Dust Pumpkins

Gold Dust are squat, miniature pumpkins with dark orange rind with pronounced ribbing.They will weigh about 4 oz (125 g) and are used as ornamentals. The plant is a hybrid, semi-bush type. 95 days from seed. History Notes Gold Dust Pumpkins were...

Gremlin Pumpkins

Gremlin Pumpkins are round, about 5 inches (13 cm) wide and tall. They are used as ornamental pumpkins. High yields. Ships well. 100 days from seed. History Notes Gremlin Pumpkins were developed by the Liberty Seed Company. Released...

Jack Be Little Pumpkins

Jack Be Little Pumpkins are miniature ornamental pumpkins. They have a deeply-ribbed, bright orange rind. They are small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, growing only about 3 inches (7 1/2 cm) wide by 2 inches (5 cm) tall, and weighing...

Jack-B-Quik Pumpkins

Jack-B-Quik Pumpkins are flattened, with dark orange rind and deep ribs. They will be about 3 inches (7 1/2 cm) wide by 2 inches (5 cm) tall, and weigh just 1/2 pound (225g.) They can be used as ornamental or pie pumpkins. 95 days from seed. History...

Lil' Goblin Pumpkins

Lil' Goblin are miniature, ornamental pumkins with bright, orange-coloured rind that is moderately ribbed. They will weigh 1 to 2 pounds (450 to 900g.) The plant is an F1 hybrid, semi-bush type that delivers high yields. History Notes Lil' Goblin...

Lil' Pump-Ke-Mon Pumpkins

Lil' Pump-Ke-Mon are miniature, ornamental pumpkins. They have a flattened shape, and orange ribs on a rough, off-white background. On average, they will be 4 1/2 inches wide (11 cm) by 2 1/2 inches (6 cm) tall, and weigh 1 to 2 pounds (450 to 900g.) The...

Mini Treat Pumpkins

Mini Treat Pumpkins have a good orange colour to their rinds, and will weigh up to 1 pound (450g.) They grow on an F1 hybrid compact bush that delivers high yields. They have hulless seeds, but are usually used as an ornamental. History Notes Mini...

Mini-Jack Pumpkins

Mini-Jack Pumpkins are uniformly sized, small pumpkins, only 3 to 4 inches (7 1/2 cm to 10 cm) wide, with deep ribs. You can use them as ornamentals, or bake them as you would squash. Mature early. History Notes Mini-Jack Pumpkins were developed...

Munchkin Pumpkins

Munchkin Pumpkins are small, just 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide and weighing up to 4 oz / 125g. They are slightly flattened, with bright, orange rind, deep ribbing and long thin sturdy handles. Inside, they have orangey-yellow flesh. They are...

Sweetie Pie Pumpkins

Sweetie Pie Pumpkins are ornamental miniature pumpkins. They have orange rind with deep ribbing, and orange flesh inside. They are the size of an American baseball, about 3 inches x 2 inches (7 ½ cm by 5 cm), and weigh around 4 oz (125 g.) There ...

Wee-B-Little Pumpkins

Wee-B-Little Pumpkins are miniature ornamental pumpkins. They are almost perfectly round, the size of an American baseball, 3 to 4 inches (7 1/2 to 10 cm) wide, and weighing from 10 to 14 oz (280 to 400g), or up to 1 pound (450g.) They have slight...

Mystic Pumpkins

Mystic Pumpkins are round, uniformly-sized pumpkins with dark orange rind and thick flesh walls. They have firmly-attached handles. They grow to be 12 inches (30 cm) wide by 14 inches (35 cm) tall, and weigh 15 to 25 pounds (6 ¾ to 11 kg.) They ...

Neon Pumpkins

Ol Zeb's Pumpkins

One Too Many Pumpkins

One Too Many Pumpkins have a rough, white warty surface on an orange background, with solid orange coloured ribbing. 3/4 of the pumpkins produced will be round; 1/4 will be tall. The average weight is 20 pound (9 kg.) It is marketed as an ornamental...

Oz Pumpkins

Oz Pumpkins are round, with a very smooth rind that ripens from yellow to orange early. It doesn't go through a green stage. The pumpkin has very slight ribbing, and strong, dark-green handles. They average 6 inches (15 cm) wide, and weigh 4 to...