Perennial of the Saxifragaceae family, this dwarf variety of Chinese astilbe is native to China and Japan, where it colonizes stream banks, cool slopes and moist forest edges, in temperate zones of moderate altitude.
It forms small, dense and compact clumps, barely exceeding 20 to 30 cm in height, with finely cut, bipinnatisect foliage, of a dark slightly glossy green. The growth habit is noticeably more restrained than that of common astilbes, making it a plant suited to small-scale compositions and shaded borders.
The flowers are gathered in upright, narrow and dense spikes, of a lilac-pink to deep pink-mauve, which persist on the plant long after blooming, taking on very decorative beige to russet hues in autumn.
In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from July to August. In cultivation, it generally occurs in August, later than most astilbes, which usefully extends the flowering season in flowerbeds.
It prefers fresh to moist soil, rich in humus, in partial shade or light shade. It tolerates temporary drought better than the large varieties of astilbes, though it does not appreciate dry substrates in summer. Hardy and effective ground cover, it is perfectly suited to cool undergrowth and the edges of water features.