Astilbe chinensis, commonly known as Chinese Astilbe, is a herbaceous perennial that forms dense clumps and is native to stream banks, moist woodlands, and mountain ravines in China, Korea, and parts of far eastern Russia. It typically reaches a height of 45–90 centimeters (18–35 inches). The plant features basal leaves that are ternately compound with sharply-toothed, often biserrated leaflets, and it produces plume-like inflorescences of tiny flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple during the summer. These flowers are highly valued for their showy appearance and the dried seed heads that persist into winter, adding interest to the garden. The Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1902 praised Astilbe chinensis as a significant perennial introduction.

Chinese Astilbe is appreciated for its attractive foliage and flowers, which make it a popular choice for woodland gardens, shaded herbaceous borders, and cottage gardens, where it serves as ground cover or edging. It thrives in partial to full shade and requires soil that is well-drained yet consistently moist and rich in organic matter. While it is more drought and sun tolerant than related species, it should not be allowed to dry out. Chinese Astilbe is generally resistant to diseases and pests, but it can suffer in high temperatures and drought conditions. It does not do best in full sun but prefers shadier conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0