If you have been pinching back your mums this summer, mid-July is the time to stop so they will be able to develop flower buds for the fall. Hedera helix 'Buttercup' is an ivy with colorful foliage. It is an excellent ground cover, growing 6 to 8 inches tall, or can be trained to climb. Older leaves are dark green with light veins. Buttercup tolerates a variety of soil conditions in full sun or heavy shade.
Edible flowers taste best when picked and eaten the same day.
Harvest flowers in the morning, after the dew has dried or right before sundown. Excess moisture can cause discoloration and loss of flavor. Loosely pack flowers in an airtight container with a moist, paper towel folded in the bottom. Add them to the dish as the last step in preparation. The dwarf sunflower variety, 'Sunspot,' grows only to two feet, but flower heads are full sized and have edible seeds.