Poinsettia ‘Winter Rose Early Red’ 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 part is, 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.