What can you tell me about fruit-scented sages, and where can I buy them?

H Turner, Telford

Certain types of sage are grown especially for their fruit-scented leaves. The most reliable are Salvia greggii ‘Raspberry Royale’, which has the aroma of raspberries, and Salvia microphylla var microphylla, which has a strong blackcurrant fragrance. Both are evergreen, have magenta-coloured flowers from May to September, and reach up to 3ft tall. To thrive, they need a sheltered, sunny spot in the garden and a light, welldrained soil. It is also worth trying Salvia dorisiana (tangerine sage) and Salvia rutilans (pineapple sage). These varieties are not reliably hardy, however, so they are best raised in containers and overwintered in a conservatory or greenhouse. A wide selection of fruit-scented sages is available by mail order from Green Garden Herbs (01405 860708, www.greengardenherbs.co.uk).

A small, green-flowered weed is spreading over my new border. What is it and how do I control it?

G Stewart, Newark

This annual weed is called petty spurge ( Euphorbia peplus), and it has dome-shaped heads of tiny yellow-green flowers and bracts, as well as mid-green oval leaves. During spring and summer, it is often found on recently cultivated earth, and grows to about 10in high. The best way to control petty spurge is to remove the weeds by hand – always wear gloves, as the milky sap can irritate the skin. Alternatively, use a hoe to destroy it, preferably before they have a chance to shed their seeds. Afterwards, spread a thick mulch over the ground to prevent future weed growth.

Neil Wormald is a qualified horticulturalist.

Send your questions to Garden Expert, Home, The Sunday Times, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1ST, or e-mail garden.expert@sunday-times.co.uk

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