[4] Whether A. chinensis and A. rubra were distinct species or synonyms was a controversial issue for botanists throughout the 20th century,[4] with current consensus favoring the latter interpretation.

[4] The natural range of Chinese astilbe is Eastern China, Japanese archipelago, and Korea, at altitudes between 400 and 3600 meters.

[6] Chinese astilbe is prized for its attractive foliage, plume-like inflorescence in the summer, and dried seed heads afterwards.

[3] In 1902, the Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society described it as "the most important hardy perennial introduced during the past few years".

The plant requires partial to full shade, and grows best in soil which is well-drained and rich in organic material.