Brian Minter: Orange is no longer the go-to colour for autumn

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As we embrace fall by adding autumn decor to our patios, decks and front porches, there are some exciting new designer pumpkins that we should add to the mix.

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Traditional orange pumpkins, used as Halloween decor, have been sidelined. For a number of years, white pumpkins have become the new orange. Available in all sizes, from the tiniest four-inch Baby Boo to the large Crystal Star (35 pounds), white pumpkins are still the ‘in’ look for fall.

In the design world, however, white is now giving way to a whole new series of earth-tone pumpkins and squash that come in unique shapes. Pumpkin breeders deserve a great deal of credit for keeping up with this trend and for creating a range of sizes, including varieties that fit indoor tabletops, windowsills, office desks and front porches

The stunning autumn displays at fruit stands, especially those in B.C.’s fruit capitals of Keremeos and the Okanagan, have long been admired. That look, with a designer twist, is now being transposed to our homes.

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Let’s begin with the white varieties. It’s important to get pure whites and avoid any varieties that mature or fade to an off-white tone.

What are the best new white pumpkins? Snowball (1 to 2 pounds) is an excellent small white pumpkin. It has a nice round shape and holds its colouring even under stress. Blanco (4 to 6 pounds) is the next size up, and again, it has a good shape and pure white colouring. Crystal Star (25 to 35 pounds) also holds its colour well. The exterior of Specter (20-pounds) has a unique warty look. A flat, heavily ribbed variety, Flat White Boer (15 pounds) really fits the new designer look. There are lots of other great varieties.

Quite a novelty a few years ago, the Doll series, which we found at a seed company in Quebec, has now become mainstream. One of the first pink varieties, Porcelain Doll (12 to 15 pounds) has a deep cavity at its centre, as does Blue Doll, an early blue-grey pumpkin in the same size range. Also part of this unique colour selection, Indian Doll is a dark salmon variety. All three of these pumpkins set the tone for the antique look that is so in vogue today.

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A flat style, blue skinned pumpkin, Jarrahdale (7 to 8 pounds) is becoming hugely popular because of its antiqued colouring. Both Autumn Frost (4 pounds), a rustic grey-orange, and Fairytale (15 pounds), a good-sized orange-brown variety with deep sutures, works well with the modern farmhouse look.

I get a kick from the naming of some pumpkins, like One Too Many. It is a 20 pound, rounded, soft orange with reddish veins that crawl through a white speckled exterior — it looks somewhat like a bloodshot eye after a night on the town. Some South American varieties, like Moranga, a flat ribbed pinky orange, are finding a home in growers’ fields. An Australian beauty, Queensland (20 pounds) is bluish grey, has an attractive flat, ribbed appearance and definitely belongs in this highly valued decor group.

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Not to be left out, the traditional orange pumpkins are also being bred to fit into the new designer look. A warted orange pumpkin, Goosebumps (8 pounds) is loaded on the outside with green and orange warts that would make any Walt Disney cartoon witch proud. It’s a member of the Super Freak series of warted pumpkins that come in many sizes.

Yellow anyone? There are now two yellow pumpkins: Sunlight, a bright yellow and Mellow Yellow, a softer toned new addition to the fall decor line up.

There is not a true black pumpkin, but both Midnight and Black Cat are very dark green, 1.5-pound miniature pumpkins. They get a pass into the decor family, as do other colourful miniature pumpkins that have exploded into the table decor category. However, the whites, like Casperita, remain the most popular, but Lil Pump-ke-mon (2 pounds), a unique white miniature with attractive orange stripes, is the up-and-comer.

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Many novelty squash also fit well into the new farmhouse look. The French variety, Galeux d’Eysines, has a flattened, oblate shape with pinky-beige bumps resembling peanut markings. Pink Banana (10 pounds) has a cylindrical banana shape. Grey Ghost (16 pounds), with its somewhat smooth skin and grey colour also belongs in this company of decor varieties, as does Festival, a white and green speckled acorn squash with orange stripes. Jumping in with its pure white skin, Mashed Potato is an acorn squash that looks like mashed potatoes when cooked, and it too is right at home in any grouping of white pumpkins.

As a bonus, all these uniquely shaped and coloured pumpkins and squash are culinary treasures offering rich flavouring for cakes, breads and muffins.

If you wish to begin creating your fall decor, these newer varieties of pumpkins and squash will add a special touch. You may have to search a bit for some varieties, but because every season seems to start earlier these days, they are out in stores now.

If you would like to grow your own favourites next year, save the seeds. They will add a fun element to next year’s garden, especially if you have young children or grandchildren.