Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Sidney Bragiel; Floral Design: Zachary Westall
As the crispness of autumn descends, the natural world lays out its vibrant tapestry for us to harvest, far beyond the confines of our garden plots. It’s a treasure trove of unexpected flora, from plants to blossoms, and even the wilder elements of nature that flourish across the South. Birmingham-based floral artist and gardening aficionado Zachary Westall demonstrates how a mere handful of selected cuttings—consider dogwood, oak, sunflowers, Virginia creeper, and blue aster—can transform into awe-inspiring autumnal compositions. Witness as Westall demonstrates that the allure of the season can be summoned without the need for store-bought flowers or elaborate supplies.
Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Sidney Bragiel; Floral Design: Zachary Westall
Break away from the norm and let your imagination soar as Westall has with this unconventional display. He crafted an eye-catching arrangement utilizing an aged tea box, weathered vases, and a pile of books. To establish the ambiance, Westall adhered to the 60-30-10 color scheme, using brown as the base, green for highlights, and dashes of red and purple to create focal points. “I envisioned it as if it were sprouting from within the box,” Westall explains, referring to the oak and Virginia creeper climbing from the box’s drawer to a vase filled with Drummond’s aster, blue aster, and olive branches. The addition of ‘Nagami’ semidwarf kumquat twigs brought a spark of brightness.
Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Sidney Bragiel; Floral Design: Zachary Westall
Westall eschews standard florist equipment and begins his larger projects by constructing “nests” with twigs. Here, he selected dogwood branches, allowing their lower segments to weave within the container, creating a natural framework. He followed this with the addition of Johnsongrass and big bluestem to enhance color and depth, and then carefully placed the delicate Maximilian sunflowers on top. “My secret is to place everything first and then meticulously trim away the unruly branches and leaves,” Westall remarks, emphasizing how this technique prevents unnecessary stem breaks.
Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Sidney Bragiel; Floral Design: Zachary Westall
For a robust centerpiece, Westall turned to pyracantha branches to form a robust foundation in a low, wide-rimmed bowl. “Their sharp thorns create the perfect mesh for intertwining other elements,” he notes, using the bowl’s handles to secure the berries. “It’s not always about showcasing every aspect of a vessel,” he adds. He elevated the composition with Johnsongrass and big bluestem, balancing the berry-laden right side. Oakleaf hydrangea leaves and vivid pomegranates were added to complete the look.
Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Sidney Bragiel; Floral Design: Zachary Westall
Westall advises patience in the crafting of arrangements, noting, “You needn’t rush the process. Construct the structure beforehand, and then incorporate the fresh clippings on the day of the event.”
Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Sidney Bragiel; Floral Design: Zachary Westall
Westall embraced a variety of forms and dimensions to craft this inviting entryway display. “When blending various foliage textures, it’s best to stay within the same color spectrum to avoid a chaotic appearance,” he advises. To ground the composition, he placed a white oak branch with multi-colored foliage on the chest. In the vases, he combined dogwood, white oak, and pyracantha; magnolia; and burning bush with a magnolia seedpod. Each combination is distinctive yet harmonizes beautifully within the autumnal color palette.
