Masaracchias win Garden of the Month
- By Carolyn Todd Hammond Garden Club
As Hammond Garden Club members Sue Parrill and Carolyn Todd were searching for a garden worthy of the coveted Garden of the Month award in the dreary, overcast month of January, they were amazed when they happened upon the colorful landscaping on the Colorado Street home of Ricky and Jessica Masaracchia.
The canvas of colorful blooms consisting of snapdragons, pansies, encore azaleas and drift roses created such a welcome to their lovely home.
Ricky devotes lots of time caring for their plants and meticulously manicured walkway and lawn “because he’s now retired,” teased Jessica. Of particular interest are six sculptured dahoon holly in full bloom, anchoring the flower beds symmetrically balanced on both sides of their front entrance.
When the Masaracchias invited us to tour their backyard, we thought that nothing could surpass their front explosion of color. We didn’t know that we were about to experience a garden worthy of being featured in Southern Living magazine, jumping off the page and into their backyard.
Upon gated entry, we were greeted by a cascade of container gardening which adorned the steps leading up to their deck. Healthy petunias, Birds of Paradise, ferns, hibiscus, Dusty Miller, an olive tree and a plethora of other plants were in in bloom despite the chill of January weather.
Ricky proved that he was gifted with the proverbial green thumb as he described the abundance of olives that grew on his tree this autumn.
A focal point in the center of the yard is a koi pond with a metal sculpture over 6 feet tall that Ricky commissioned years ago from three female artisans from Ponchatoula who were in their 80s at the time. His own artistic talents were evidenced by painted wooden columns leading the way to their muscadine arbor featuring a swing in which to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Behind what he jokingly referred to as his man cave retreat is a private meditation garden with three sky pencil holly shrubs in matching containers and a seating area surrounded by plants and wall décor on the fence.
Attention to detail is something in which both Ricky and Jessica excel when it comes to landscaping the entire perimeter of their yard. Gardenias, little gem dwarf Southern magnolias and shishi gashira camellias stand proudly in front of an 8-foot wooden fence, built with an artistic flair.
The Masacchia’s garden is certainly one that delights the senses and defies Old Man Winter’s typical January garden.
The Hammond Garden Club is a member of District VI Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Deep South Garden Clubs and National Garden Club.