Winter Rose Poinsettias

These interesting ruffled poinsettias are called “winter rose.” (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Winter Rose Poinsettias

I have to confess, I have been curious about this new poinsettia variety. I first saw one last year at one of our local home and garden centers, prompting me to think I need to get one when they are next on sale.

This year, a friend gave me one for Christmas, a medium-sized plant with 3-inch flower “heads” that indeed resemble roses. He called them a “ruffled poinsettia.”

This new poinsettia species resembles roses. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

According to my research, this plant was first developed by the Paul Ecke Plant Company. The leaves and bracts on the Winter Rose poinsettia variety are smaller and tend to curl under. The plant is usually shorter than regular poinsettias. More interesting to me, the plant is supposed to hold its colored leaves through May, a good couple of months longer than standard poinsettias.

The “flower heads” are actually plant bracts, or leaves that surround the tiny yellow centers that actually hold the flowers. The leaves are triggered to change color by exposing the plants to 14 hours of darkness from September to November. I have a standard red poinsettia from last year that is turning color after this light deprivation.

Besides red, Winter Rose poinsettias are available in white, pink and marble.

Now let’s see how long these “winter roses” last!

Charlotte