Been around since 2005 or so - only information is that it was developed by an "Italian breeder".

My guess as breeder would be Farmen of Naples, Italy. I don't know why the breeders of such a lovely product are so cloaked. You'd think the name would be mainstream.

I put these in my front gar*den beds this year! I wasn't sure if they were weird or wonderful. lol I do love the soft color variations.

I leave empty spaces along the edge of the beds just for annuals. Every year, I try something new (to me). The perennials I have edging the beds are lady's mantle and Purple Emperor sed*um. The dark purple/chartreuse combination complements the shrubs (Summerwine ninebark and Goldflame spirea), and pink KO roses.

Last year, I used orange Profusion zinnia, it was not for the faint of heart. lol I didn't even know the name of this petunia, it wasn't tagged. So thanks westy for the id!

Okay, you're going to think I'm NUTS...but that wasn't the one I meant. I mean, this is the first year I've seen Dolce Flambe so I thought it was new and bought two flats of them. Can't get enough. But the one I wanted to talk about was another....this one is even more rare...to me! The nursery had few left: It's 'Sophistica' (TM), 'Lime Bicolor'. This one is combos of rose, pink, bright red but no orangey-red - more true red and yet subtle. And lime green is on most to some degree. Hard to explain. But the colors come out of the middle of the bloom like a star formation - on most - others are mixed. Again, hard to explain! I love both of these. I hope I can save the seeds or find who carries them next year.

Prairiegirlz5: I love your mix of perennials with Dolce Flambe. I think I'll try it. Now I need to find Purple Emperor sedum!

Duluthinbloom: I was born in Duluth. Miss the cold and the views...miss Minnesota lots! The humidity here sucks!

Dolce is Farmen, Sophistica is Pan American

Forget about saving the seeds....these are hybridized plants and won't come true from seeds of subsequent generations. If you like starting your own seed, and like the much better selection you get by buying seed instead of plants, most of the seed houses carry this line. Look for Dolcissima.