If you have clematis, you have the perfect plant to try hybridizing on. See the link below for excellent info on how to hybridize clematis.

Here is a link that might be useful: Brian Collingwood's site

Boy parts meeting Girl parts is about as basic as it gets. Its sorta the foundation of genetics no matter what sort of creature you're talking about. I would stick with annual salvias just so you get quicker results - crossed seeds will bloom within 12 months. Clematis would take to long to see any results.

There should be charts and descriptions concerning Sweet Peas out there somewhere - that was the simple stuff I saw when I was younger. The basics of crossing one plant with another where all diagramed out and should transfer to salvia easily.

There are a number of ways breeders get award winning hybrids or new color varieties. One thing they do different than what you are planning is that they work with millions of plants at one time. By growing colors together side by side they can get a wide array of crosses. All they do is walk the fields the next year and pick out the best looking bloomers. By working with acres of plants you are sure to find a few distinctive types.

Depends on which clematis you cross and attempt to grow out TJ. I have had success getting tanguticas, heracleifolias, and stans to grow from seed and flower in less than 12 months. Others have gotten crispas to flower in 5 months from seed.

Another option is garden balsam. It grows fast and comes in a variety of colors that might be neat to try and hybridize. I have some that are single blooms and others that are doubles.

Thanks for the info. After reading info on that web site I will never look at the word emasculate the same way again.