Praise for the art of gardening is abundant and broad: It’s therapeutic; it saves money at the grocery store; it’s good for the environment; it raises the value of your home. But if you’re making common — and costly — mistakes, things probably aren’t coming up roses. Below, landscaping experts talk about how to make your garden grow.

Do some research: You’ll want to use plants that are native to your area. Nancy Somerville, chief executive of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), notes that opting for native species will result in the biggest cost savings.

“They’re great energy-, time- and money-savers because they’re fully adapted to the conditions around here,” she says.

Next, find out what kinds of insects are attracted to the plants you’re considering and whether those insects might be harmful to neighboring species.

Before grouping plants, ensure they have similar requirements for soil, fertilizers, shade or sun levels and water, says Beth Palys, executive director for the region’s Landscape Contractors Association (LCA).

Consider composting: Making your own compost adds up to significant savings, considering a 1-cubic-foot bag of prepared compost costs roughly $5.

Plant edibles: With food prices on the rise, sales of edible plants and seeds have skyrocketed. Poore notes that he gets about 50 percent of his own produce from a 10-by-10-foot garden and that a single packet of seeds, which costs about $1 or $2, can yield 40 to 50 plants.

No room for a proper garden? Not to worry. “Berry bushes are low-maintenance perennials, and a lot of herbs are perennial and can be really beautiful in the garden,” Somerville says.

Check out local resources: Many local nurseries employ horitculturalists and landscape architects. Take advantage of gardening workshops hosted by local garden clubs and historic garden sites.

The LCA (lcamddcva.org/) and the ASLA (asla.org) websites can help you find local resources. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also offers information on native plants.

Check out deals: Sign up for a membership to the Arbor Day Foundation — $10 for six months, $15 for one year — and get 10 free trees. The 6- to 12-inch trees will arrive at the best time for planting. Members also get discounts on trees and shrubs.