So much that the horticulturist for the former Epic Plant Company has set up a blog, coolplants.blogspot.com, to document some of the rare and unique gems that can be found in the Niagara region.

Born into a family that worked in the horticulture industry, Denee graduated from the University of Guelph with a degree in horticultural science and business. Besides being a horticulturist and avid gardener, Denee is also the publisher and producer of The Epic Gardener magazine, a speaker and author.

Denee said he was tired of seeing the same common, mass-produced plants such as ferns or orchids in gardens. Wwith the blog, he thought it would be nice to promote plants that gardeners may not be familiar with.

"Homeowners tend to stick to common perennials such as hostas (lilies)," Denee said. "Everyone has those and plain old green leafy plants. In my blog I talk about what unique perennials are out there in the world and how to find them."

Denee said the plants featured on his blog can be found at most garden centres, but there are a few that have to be specially ordered online.

Each entry discusses a different plant and its history.

In a recent posting, Denee discusses a new variety of the digitalis plant which has popped up in gardens on occasion since the 1800s.

Denee also discusses interesting tidbits from other horticultural blogs or websites he has discovered online.

"I have a great interest in plants and I want to share this information," Denee said.