It only took 30 years, but my English ivy is now blooming.

For years I had thought English ivy (Hedera helix) didn’t bloom. Then one day a subscriber in Indiana sent a snapshot of the ivy blooming on one of her trees. A little research and I found out that when ivy gets really, really mature, it can bloom—usually when it’s worked its way to the top of a tree.

Then I saw blooming ivy for myself when I visited the lovely garden of Dan and Linda Lewis in LaPorte, Indiana (“Francophile,” July/August 2008). Their ivy too was on a tree.

But mine covers a brick wall—all three stories of the 3-story condo building next door. Originally planted as a groundcover around the base of a lowly tree of heaven, it slowly began to wend its way upward, accompanied by that opportunistic Speedy Gonzales aka Boston ivy, which pretty much takes top billing throughout the growing season. Then, when the Boston ivy leaves turn color and drop, the English ivy resurfaces to provide something nice and green to see from my kitchen window throughout the winter.

But this year I will also keep my eye on the flowers. It was pure chance that I saw the mat all since they’re not exactly what you’d call showy. But one day, I was in the backyard, I happened to look up and…could it be? Yes indeedy. Clusters of pale yellow/white flowers here, there—OMG they’re all over the place! Well, over about two-thirds of the wall at least.

It’s a horticultural phenomenon, and to think it’s happening in my own backyard. I couldn’t be prouder if I’d done it myself.

—Carolyn Ulrich

Photos: Ron Capek