Analyzing 5,760,1035.8M ReviewsFor 15,83615.8K Experts
We graded 8 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 10,893 Google reviews of 69 top-rated gardeners nationwide; 8 of them in Forest Heights, MD. Updated October 28, 2026.
Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of gardeners).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
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| 1 | Green Roots LandscapingForest Heights, MD | A 94How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%96+56.3Reliability 26%96+25Value 15%82+12.5Experts Score= 94Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 4.98 | — |
| 2 |  Forested, LLCForest Heights, MD | A 94How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%94+65.1Reliability 31%95+29.2Experts Score= 94Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–––– | 4.95 | — |
| 3 |  Keeping It Green Landscaping, LLCForest Heights, MD | A 91How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%95+51.8Reliability 24%90+21.8Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%45+3.2Craft & service penalty98−0.2Experts Score= 91Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAC | 4.91 | — |
| 4 | A 84How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%87+51.1Reliability 26%82+21.4Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty98−0.2Momentum penalty66−3.4Experts Score= 84Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAB– | 4.93 | — | |
| 5 |  JA Alvarez LandscapingForest Heights, MD | A 83How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%82+48.1Reliability 26%75+19.6Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty96−0.4Experts Score= 83Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABAAA– | 4.82 | — |
| 6 |  FG Landscaping llcForest Heights, MD | A 82How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%84+49.3Reliability 26%76+19.8Value 15%82+12.5Experts Score= 82Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AB–AA– | 4.90 | — |
| 7 |  Green Life Landscaping IncForest Heights, MD | B 69How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%73+46.4Reliability 28%58+16.4Replies to reviews 8%83+6.8Momentum penalty98−0.2Experts Score= 69Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BC––AA | 4.74 | — |
| 8 |  Suburban Lawn Care Service LLCForest Heights, MD | B 66How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%77+45.2Reliability 26%68+17.7Value 15%68+10.3Craft & service penalty50−5Momentum penalty82−1.8Experts Score= 66Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BBCBA– | 4.76 | — |
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
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How the 8 gardeners we rated in Forest Heights, MD compare, and what customers praise most.
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
Average stars per company.
Share of Google review highlights.
All price verdicts left with reviews.
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
The 8 best-rated gardeners in Forest Heights, MD average 4.9★ on Google across 457 reviews. Green Roots Landscaping has the top rating (5.0★), and Green Life Landscaping Inc has the most reviews (106). Updated October 28, 2026.
8 companies that meet our bar: rated 4.5★ or higher on Google, with a meaningful review history (457 reviews combined) and currently operating. Request a call back and the company will phone you directly.
“I’m so glad I came across this company! I was having a permit issue and needed grass planted along my new fence. In a panic, I called, and Ramone came out right away to provide an estimate same day. He even worked…” — Google review
“Excellent service and attention to detail. They aways leave the job site clean and tidy and are extremely good at creating beautiful outdoor spaces.” — Google review
“Green Roots did a phenomenal job! Brendan and his team were knowledgeable, kind, efficient, and very willing to answer all of my questions before and after the planting. We didn't give them a ton of guidelines around…” — Google review
“What an enchanting evening! The tour was delightful, the food delicious, and the live music perfectly rounded out the evening. I can't wait for the next one.” — Google review
“This company is amazing. My front yard received a makeover and it now looks beautiful. They are quick and get the job done as you request.” — Google review
“IGreen Life Landscaping has been providing lawn mowing services for our HOA for 2 years. They do great work, are reliable, and reasonably priced. They recently did a large amount of tree trimming for our HOA. They…” — Google review
“Tony was extremely professional and did incredible work for my overgrown weeds for my yard. Looking forward to working with him.” — Google review
“Great work, very kind and professional. I’ve had a huge tree removed from my yard, and bushes. I would recommend highly.” — Google review
We scan Google Maps for gardener listings in and around Forest Heights, keep only open businesses whose main category matches the service, and require a Google rating of at least 4.5 from at least 20 reviews. Companies are ordered by a confidence-weighted score that balances rating and review volume. We do not accept payment for placement.
Green Roots Landscaping has the highest Google rating on our Forest Heights list: 5.0 out of 5 from 44 reviews (as of October 28, 2026).
Green Life Landscaping Inc has the most Google reviews among the companies listed here: 106, with a 4.7★ average.
Only open Forest Heights-area businesses whose Google category matches the service, rated at least 4.5★ from at least 20 Google reviews. They are ordered by a confidence-weighted score of rating and review volume. Placement is never paid.
Analyzing 5,760,1035.8M ReviewsFor 15,83615.8K Experts