It is quite lovely in its own right when used in mass. New leaves have a glossy appearance to them, but softened by scattered, silky, hairs. The leaves stay close to the ground, tightly clustered, so that the soil is covered by a plant reaching no more than three to four inches in height. The plant spreads by runners scooting in and out of leaf mold and litter, setting new plants as it goes. I have not found the plant to be invasive after ten years, or more, in my garden.
Flowers are on a stem carried well above the foliage to about ten or twelve inches.
When a large patch is in bloom, the wind weaves through the stalks, and fuzzy white flowers undulate looking like foam on a cresting wave. Foamflowers are to the eyes what a Mozart symphony is to the ears. Individual flowers are only about one third of an inch across with five petals. The stamens, two for each petal, extend well past the petals giving it the frothy appearance. Individual flowers are carried in a raceme toward the end of the stem and very numerous.