H. x ballardiae is a hybrid of H. lividus and H. niger. The leaves are subdivided into eight parts and are similar to the foliage of H. niger. But they have a silver sheen and pale veins.

The parent plant H. lividus is the reason why this hybrid exhibits a lack of hardiness. Therefore it should be planted in a protected place.

From early winter up to spring the plant produces short flower stems including three or four flowers, which are greenish-pink outside and greenish-crème inside. But there are different combinations of these colours. The flowers of H. x ballardiae often exists only of four petals.

H. x ballardiae can only be propagated by division, because it is sterile and yields no seed.