The first artificial hybrid was made by

The first artificial hybrid was made by Thomas Fairchild.
In 1716 - 17 he was the first person to scientifically produce an artificial hybrid, Dianthus Caryophyllus barbatus, known as "Fairchild's Mule", a cross between a Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) and a Carnation pink.
He did this by taking pollen from the Sweet William with a feather and brushing it onto the stigma of the Carnation pink. The cross was made in the summer of 1716, the new plant appearing the next spring.