Definition: A hybrid is a cross between two different plant varieties to get the valued attributes of each variety. Hybrids are developed for disease resistance, size, flowering, color, taste and any reason a plant might be considered special. Most modern plants currently on sale are hybrids.
Because they are a cross between varieties, the seed produced by hybrids will not necessarily produce a plant similar to it. Seedlings grown from a hybrid could exhibit traits of one or both parent plants or be something totally surprising. With patience, hybrid seeds can be carefully selected and grown out until they eventually stabilize and will grow true to the parent hybrid. However, most seed companies simply continue cross breeding to produce the seed.
Examples:
Some of the most interesting flowers in my garden are hybrids, or crosses between two other flowers.
