A deciduous shrub reaching 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft), it bears compound, alternate, toothed leaflets which have been compared to ferns or sumac.

[3] The Latin specific epithet sorbifolia means "with leaves like Sorbus (mountain ash)".

The flowers, appearing in July and August, are white and showy, clustered at the end of the branches.

Sorbaria sorbifolia grows naturally in temperate areas of Asia including Siberia, the Far East of Russia, northern China, Japan and Korea.

[6] The compact cultivar 'Sem', with multicoloured leaves in shades of yellow, bronze and red, has more erect panicles of flowers than the species.