It really is an awesome plant, woofie, but would be an annual for you, I'd imagine. Still if you overwintered cuttings indoors, and started them in ground in May you'd have some very tall plants by the end of summer for sure.
Ever been to Christina Lake, BC? I was born in Trail, BC and spent every summer at Christina until I was 13. Very pretty area.
As to fertilizer for ivy, since it is just a foliage plant you could use any good timed-release lawn fert with a high first number (nitrogen). Lawn fert is quite a bit less expensive than others.
