The leaves of L. diversifolia are easily distinguished from L. leucocephala by high numbers of small leaflets. The leaflets are 1 to 2 mm wide and nearly 1 cm long. The apex of the leaflet is usually off-center and pointed. Unlike L. leucocephala flowers, the styles of L. diversifolia extend past the anther halo. Flowering is profuse, beginning in late spring and continuing until mid-fall.
Flower color ranges from bright red to light pink.
L. diversifolia contains two subspecies. The most widely cultivated, L. diversifolia ssp. It is often abbreviated DIV4. The other subspecies, L. diversifolia ssp. It is abbreviated DIV2.