My own-root plant has been growing for four years, and it spreads out more than up. My plant probably isn't a foot high, but when it blooms there are many at once, and they are spectacular! The foliage is a dark, shiny green with no disease evident. Last year it survived three weeks of 0-15 degree weather, with no problems; a late spring freeze that killed some plants didn't seem to hurt it, either. It's a great plant for the front of a bed.