Several feet is pushing it by a long way. Depending upon variety
expect growth from 6" to 12" or so. It's a member of the ginger family
and completely hardy, but doesn't put in an appearance until late -
usually May/early June. It carries its large pale yellow or more
rarely, purple flowers from June onwards. If you've been offered them
cheap then snap them up, they're definitely worth having. Roscoeas
prefer well drained, humus rich soils and filtered sunlight. Dont' let
them go dry in summer and take care to mark the clumps when they die
down. Otherwise you'll be prodding about with a handfork next spring,
wondering what the fleshy white tubers are. About 3 weeks after you've
consigned them to the compost heap, you'll suddenly remember.