Hellebores are prized for their flowers which appear in late winter or early spring and are often the first flowers to appear in the Chicago garden. Ice Follies hellebore grows into a low mound about twenty inches high and 2 feet wide. The foliage is dark green with finger-like clusters of up to ten serrated leaves which are evergreen throughout the winter except in extremely cold locations. Ice Follies bears clusters of two-three inch outward-facing five-petaled flowers that are ivory with maroon splashes.

Hellebores prefer cool moist soils but are very adaptable requiring only that the site be well-drained. Typically they are planted in woodland settings under deciduous trees where they receive full sun in winter and early spring but are protected in hotter months. The entire plant contains chemicals that are toxic to humans but makes them unappealing to deer and other wildlife. Site carefully as they do not like to be moved or disturbed.