The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-04
GRACE CHURCH,s YVES.
The Hardy English Vino on the Reetery ana
tho Boston Ivy on the aanctuary.

WV ~
tho Boston Ivy on the Sanctuary.
Probably few who pass Grace Church and ad.
miro the luxuriant vines that cling TO the front
Of it and to the adjoining rectory look closely
enough to discover that the church and the
rectory are covered with different varieties Of
ivy. That which covers tho front OF the rcctory
has an especially close growth, with leaves that
seem to overlap one another, and its masses are
30 solid that not oven q glimpse of the stonework
behind can DO had. The ivy on the church Ia of
the Boston variety, and that ON the rectory 10
the old English ivy, whose leaves are of about
the size of the silver naples, slightly glossy,
firm, and heavily veined. The stem Of the Eng
lish ivy Is thick and strong. and there Is little
trouble with the dropping of leaves In summer.
Engllsh ivy grows slowly. however. and il Is said
that some of these plants were set out q quarter
Of q century ago. The Church Economist quotes
one OF the sections of Grace Church as saying:
Tho old English ivy Is always fresh and
beautiful Though 1t can never have too much
water, 1t thrives in the dryest season. We
rarely water it. or all the ivies we have export
required the least attention and v Given tho b Hss
~results. 1t Is a slow grower, but 1t most en-
phaticelly pays In the end. We are never an
nOyed by sparrows nesting in tho Ivy, either
that growing over the rectory and house, where
1t is thickest. or on tho church itself. Once 8
year we clean the CUTTERS and trim the IVY
sliEhtly. And sometimes we clip the ends which
have forced themselves between the stained
glass windows and tho hne network which
covers them"
The English ivy grows on an average fifteen
feet in four years.. though this is hardly a fair
estimate; as everything depends on the richness
Of the soil and is access to a good water supply.
The plants should be set out the last OF April, q
little over a foot from tho stone work Of tho
church, and from three 10 five feet apart. II ia
well to give tho Ivy q healthful impetus by
growing II In water for a short timo previous to
the setting ont. Little or no care mood be exer-
cised In training the Ivy. With a little guidance
for the first fortnight the ivy will mount higher
and higher. slowly, surely, and regularly. But
tresses, .plnnacles,. projections are firmly en-
twined by the little plant. and It will take a
storm indeed. to dislodge II. II may be bought
Of any reputable florist at 81. SO per dozen.
The most popular Ivy In America, owing to it's
rich sutumn tints and quick rowing qualities.
nonnce it the most practicable ivy to be had.
With very few exceptions New York churches
have chosen this variety for their purposes.
Collegiate. the Little Church, Around tho Cor
ner, all are lnada most tasteful in appearance by
tho growth Of this ivy. It's lenves are small and
delicate, with indentatiOns. Tho stem Is small
and tendon. Tho autumn color Is q scarlet
There are q few private houses In New York
whose walls are hidden by a sturdy growth OF
Ivy or wlsteria- Very little care Is necessary TO
protect the vines, and during tho hot days in
summer these green spots In the city streets arc
pleasant 10 look on.