Can Hybrids Be Created Using Different Species of Plant?

Question

I am starting to get interested in plant breeding but I can’t find this answer anywhere. Can I, for example, cross a buddleja with a carnation? Or do you have to stick with the same species of plant (e. g. crossing a ceanothus concha and a ceanothus blue mound)?

Answer 1

There are several interspecific hybrids available on the market, geraniums, peonies and others. There are many more being tested in labs around the world. This is cutting edge in the plant industry. This link will take you to several articles on interspecific hybrids: http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=intergeneric+hybridization+in+plants+examples&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart&sa=X&ei=rGT8UbC6FvSp4APs6oDwCg&sqi=2&ved=0CCgQgQMwAA