From pumpkin vine to watermelon , there are many incredible gourd you could grow in your garden . While some gourds are ready to be harvested in summer or winter , fall is the season most often associated with calabash — and for good reason . Some of themost popular fall decorationsare gourds , including pumpkins and many type of squash . What should you do if you desire something a little more strange , though ? We have a tilt of six fun and alone types of gourd you should cognize about to get you started .

Speckled swan gourds

flecked swan gourds are a case of bottle gourd or bottle gourd , named for their typical anatomy . With a rotund root word and prospicient , curved neck , they resemble swan when placed upright . specked swan gourds are typically dark dark-green with lighter green or cream - distort speckle or markings .

While they are n’t toxic if stored correctly , speckle swan gourds are typically ornamental , due to their unique shape . When dried , they can make a beautiful decorationfor any clock time of yr . Like most other types of calabash , speckled swan gourds prefer full sun , warm weather condition , and well - draining soil . These gourds cangrow on a treillage , but they call for to be supported to keep them from falling off the vine too soon .

Delicata squash

If you prefer eating gourds over looking at them , then the delicata squash vine should be on your listing . This wintertime squash get its name for its fragile , more frail rind . It is delicious , angelical , and productive , and the internet is full of recipes that can instruct you how to bake , roast , or sugarcoat your delicata squash for an awe-inspiring side bag or sweet .

While its flavor is the high spot for most , delicata squash rackets is also a beautiful gourd . It has a creamy white or wan jaundiced skin marked with dark green vertical chevron . Whether it ’s in your garden or on your plate , this squash is sure to sandbag .

Red kuri squash

Red kuri squash , similar to delicata squash , can be used for decorations or meal . It ’s a miscellany ofCucurbita maxima , a name you will see three more times on this inclination because of the wide range of shapes and sizes gourds of this species follow in . Red kuri squash is a small variety , work like a common fig tree with a dark reddish - orange color .

When dried , it can be used as part of a cunning autumn video display , and its smaller size makes it easy to store . When fudge , red kuri squash has a subtle and slightly nutty smell that ’s perfect for both mouth-watering and sweet dishes . It has a thin skin like that of the delicata squash , which have for easier prep since it wo n’t need to be peeled .

Turban squash

Turban squash is the second of our four favoriteCucurbita maximavarieties . While this diversity shares the abstruse reddish - Orange River coloration of the red kuri squash , the frame of the turban squash really sets it apart . This gourd is divide into two halves , with one half being narrow and the other one-half being much broad . This gives the toque squash the appearance of a individual wear out a turban , although some toque squash more nearly resembles mushroom or acorns .

In addition to the red - orange base , many turban squash vine are streaked with dreary green , and they typically have a harsh beige funnies around the heart where the two halves meet . They are mostly used as decoration due to their alone shape , but these gourds are also edible ! Some multitude even hollow out out the larger half of the squash vine and utilise it as a soup pipe bowl .

Cinderella pumpkin

The Cinderella autumn pumpkin is our thirdCucurbita maximavariety , and its adorable dark red - orange color matches the first two . However , it has politic skin and a wide , flat shape . Named after Cinderella ’s pumpkin vine carriage , these pumpkin vine see like they could be straight out of an old fairy story .

This heirloom mixture was originally maturate in France , and you might find it under its French name Rouge Vif D’Etampes ( which translates to Bright Red from Etampes ) . These pumpkins are everlasting if you wantyour Halloween decorto be charming and scented rather than spooky , and they have a sweet tone to match their visual aspect .

Porcelain doll pumpkin

Porcelain doll pumpkin vine are of course , our fourth and finalCucurbita maximavariety . Unlike the others , this variety has a delicate pink color . While it begin as a pallid yellow or white colour , it tardily turns pinkish as it grows , making it a engrossing plant to watch . Theshade of pinkcan range from pastel to a slimly brighter pink , and even to a shade of orange - y pink reminiscent of a sundown .

These porcelain doll pumpkins have a slightly boxlike build , with cryptic rut and unruffled pelt . While it has a sweet flavour that ’s good for pies , most people favour to leave these gorgeous gourds as medallion .

No matter what sort of calabash you ’re looking for , one of these six case of gourds is trusted to intrigue you . From the elegant porcelain doll Cucurbita pepo to the unambiguously shaped speckled swan gourd , you have quite a little of grand selection to choose from for your garden , cosmetic display , or plate . If you have the space , why not try growing more than one ?