Blooms Worth Gathering Around

Floral ideas for your Thanksgiving table

By Diana Pierce, November 5th, 2025

Photo: Diana Pierce

Now that November is here, I don’t know about you, but I’ve started thinking about our upcoming holiday season.

Looking online, I’m seeing recipe after recipe on what to serve our friends and family on Turkey Day—green bean casserole, stuffing variations, the perfect roasted turkey. But what about the blooms we might like to have on our tables or sideboards?

Just like you’d follow a recipe to make grandma’s famous pumpkin pie, you can now follow a floral recipe to create beautiful arrangements for your Thanksgiving table.

I’ve teamed up with local floral designers to bring you step-by-step floral “recipes”—complete with ingredient lists and simple instructions anyone can follow. Whether you tackle these DIY-style or bring these ideas to your florist to recreate, these recipes make it easy to bring stunning blooms to your celebration.

Quick note: If you want to “gift” blooms to friends, take pre-arranged fresh cut flowers in a vase. Better yet, call and find out what flowers they might like to have and have them delivered. Then you’ll know if they’re open to that or if the host doesn’t like flowers perhaps they’d like something else.

To get started, here are two complete floral recipes I worked on recently, plus a few FAQs to get you started, and a video link with even more Thanksgiving flower inspiration.

Two Floral Recipes to Try

Just like your favorite Thanksgiving recipes, these floral arrangements come with everything you need: an ingredient list and simple steps. Follow along at home or share these “recipes” with your local florist!

Floral Recipe #1: “Pumpkin Elegance”

Jenn Hovland - Studio Louise, Stillwater, MN. Photo: Diana Pierce

Ingredients: Pumpkin-shaped container, floral foam, water, Leatherfern, Grevillea, Cremon chrysanthemums, bronze button spray mums, dried teasel stems.

Instructions:

1. Fill the pumpkin-shaped container with floral foam and add water to within an inch of the top.

2. Add Leatherfern greens first, fanning out around the edge like a collar, then 2–3 long Grevillea greens in the center. The greenery forms your backdrop.

3. Insert 4–5 large Cremon chrysanthemums toward the bottom and sides, creating a triangle of visual interest in soft beige or Caffè Latte tones.

4. Add 2–3 bronze button spray mums to fill in around the Cremons.

5. Finally, add 3–5 cream-colored dried teasel stems for height (about 12” or taller).

Watch out for the prickly stems!

This arrangement by Jenn Hovland (studiolouiseflowers.com) brings soft, elegant tones to your table with a touch of autumn texture.

By the way, I tried a “test run” of a fall flowers tablescape last night. I’m looking forward to trying even more “recipes” this fall.

In the kitchen after arranging fall flowers. Photo: Diana Pierce

The “test run” arrangement set up on the Dining Room Table. Photo: Diana Pierce

Floral Recipe #2: “Sunflower Sunshine”

Diana's arrangement created in a class taught by Sandy Schroeck, AIFD, PFCI, CFD – Len Busch Roses. Photo: Diana Pierce

Ingredients: Floral foam, water, Fatsia japonica (Japanese aralia) leaves, fern, sunflowers, lilies, bronze chrysanthemums, solidago, purple snapdragons.

Instructions:

1. Fill your container with floral foam and water.

2. Lay 2 Fatsia japonica or Japanese aralia leaves flat across the bottom.

3. Add 3 long fern leaves for texture.

4. Insert 3 sunflowers — large bloom on the bottom, medium a few inches above, smallest on top — in a triangle shape.

5. Add one lily stem with 3 blooms for height.

6. Fill in with 7–8 bronze chrysanthemums.

7. Add 2–3 sprays of yellow or bronze solidago.

8. Finish with 3 stalks of purple snapdragons for a pop of contrasting color.

This design pops with vibrant color and height—perfect for a sideboard or entryway table.

Watch & Learn: More Thanksgiving Flower Inspiration From Sandy

Want even more ideas? Check out this video with additional Thanksgiving floral inspiration to see step-by-step techniques and creative styling tips.

Thanksgiving Flower FAQs

Every Thanksgiving table tells a story—and flowers are part of mine. I’ve gathered a few bits of useful floral knowledge to help you with your questions this season.

1. What are the best flowers for Thanksgiving arrangements?

Chrysanthemums, sunflowers, roses, alstroemeria, marigolds, and carnations are Thanksgiving favorites. They come in the rustic golds, burnt oranges, and deep reds of the season, each with its own meaning—mums for joy, sunflowers for gratitude, and marigolds for warmth and remembrance. My sunflower banner is a symbol of gratitude for you, dear reader.

2. How do I choose flowers for a Thanksgiving table centerpiece?

Look for blooms in warm, autumn hues like amber, rust, burgundy, and cream. Keep arrangements low enough for easy conversation across the table. Tuck in seasonal touches—sprigs of eucalyptus, berries, or mini pumpkins—to add texture and interest.

3. What types of Thanksgiving flower arrangements are most popular?

Low centerpieces for the dining table, loose bouquets for guest rooms or bathrooms, garlands for mantels, and floral accents with pumpkins or gourds bring a natural warmth to your space.

4. How long do Thanksgiving floral arrangements last?

Fresh arrangements typically last 5-10 days. Refresh the water daily, changing the water, trimming stems, and keeping them cool and away from direct sunlight or a fireplace. A teaspoon of sugar or a floral preservative helps extend vase life.

5. Can I order Thanksgiving flowers online for delivery?

Yes! Many local florists and national retailers offer Thanksgiving arrangements. Order early for the best selection and to ensure delivery before your celebration.

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours! May your table be filled with beautiful blooms, delicious food, and the people you love most.

Questions? Reply to this email—I’d love to hear what you’re planning for your Thanksgiving table this year!

#BloomWithMe

Diana

© 2025 Diana Pierce

11330 57th Ave. N., Plymouth, MN 55442