Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Sidney Bragiel; Floral Design: Zachary Westall
As the leaves begin to turn and the air takes on a crisp chill, the natural world presents a treasure trove of splendor ripe for the picking. This beauty isn’t confined to the confines of garden plots, though. The most striking and vivid autumnal arrangements can often be found in the unexpected flora, flowers, and even wild herbs that flourish throughout the South. Birmingham’s own Zachary Westall, a master floral artist and gardening aficionado, demonstrates how a handful of carefully selected cuttings—such as dogwood, oak, sunflowers, Virginia creeper, and blue aster—can be transformed into awe-inspiring autumnal displays. Westall’s work illustrates that a stunning seasonal arrangement can be crafted without the need for store-bought blooms or elaborate materials, bringing the beauty of the season indoors.
Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Sidney Bragiel; Floral Design: Zachary Westall
Why stick to conventional containers? Westall takes a creative approach, as seen in his unique arrangement that incorporates an antique tea box, weathered vases, and a tower of books. To achieve the perfect ambiance, the designer adhered to the 60-30-10 color theory, with brown as the dominant hue, green as the highlight, and dashes of red and purple to add visual interest. “I wanted it to appear as if it were sprouting from the box itself,” explains Westall, referring to the oak and Virginia creeper that emerge from the tea box’s drawer into a vase brimming with Drummond’s aster, blue aster, and olive branches. The addition of ‘Nagami’ semidwarf kumquat sprigs introduces a burst of brightness.
Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Sidney Bragiel; Floral Design: Zachary Westall
Abandoning the standard florist’s tools, Westall constructs his larger pieces by first building “nests” from twigs. Utilizing dogwood branches, he interweaves the lower sections within the container, creating a natural framework akin to a florist’s frog. He then fills the structure with Johnsongrass and big bluestem for depth and contrast, before adding the delicate Maximilian sunflowers. “The secret I’ve mastered is to simply place everything in the container and then use sharp shears to trim away the branches and leaves that detract from the arrangement,” Westall says, emphasizing that this technique prevents unnecessary stem breakage and rearranging.
Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Sidney Bragiel; Floral Design: Zachary Westall
For this centerpiece, Westall turned to pyracantha branches to form a robust foundation, nestled within a shallow, wide-mouthed bowl. “Their sharp thorns make for an excellent weaving base,” he observes. Using the bowl’s handles to secure the berries, Westall then added Johnsongrass and big bluestem for height, achieving a visual equilibrium. Oakleaf hydrangea leaves and vivid pomegranates were strategically placed to fill in the spaces and add a final touch of elegance.
Take your time; “Arrangements don’t need to be rushed,” advises Westall. “Construct the base ahead of time, and then add the fresh cuttings on the day of the event.”
Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Sidney Bragiel; Floral Design: Zachary Westall
Westall’s approach to his entryway display is to mix and match various forms and dimensions. “When blending different foliage textures, it’s beneficial to stay within the same color spectrum to avoid a chaotic look,” he comments. To ground the composition, a white oak branch with multicolored leaves takes center stage on the chest. The vases, from left to right, feature dogwood, white oak, and pyracantha; magnolia; and burning bush with a magnolia seedpod. Each combination is distinct, yet the autumnal color palette unites them into a harmonious ensemble.
