RECOMMENDED FOR A TROPICAL COUNTRY
- low maintenance, shade provision, air purification, aesthetic
value, and resilience to tropical climate conditions
TREES (Shade & Structure)
1. Narra (Pterocarpus indicus)
o National tree of the Philippines; hardy, offers wide shade,
symbolic.
2. Balete Tree (Ficus benjamina or Ficus microcarpa)
o Fast-growing, air-purifying, but best planted away from
foundations.
3. Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)
o Tall and straight with dense canopy, good for avenue planting.
4. Molave (Vitex parviflora)
o Drought-tolerant hardwood, long-lived, traditional Filipino
species.
5. Benguet Pine (Pinus kesiya) (for highland areas only)
o Ideal for Baguio or other cool elevated campuses.
6. Talisay Tree (Terminalia catappa)
o Broad-leafed with seasonal color changes, great shade provider.
PALMS & ORNAMENTAL TREES
1. Royal Palm (Roystonea regia)
o Tall, elegant, formal look—good for entryways or axial walks.
2. Traveler’s Palm (Ravenala madagascariensis)
o Architectural form, dramatic focal point.
3. Foxtail Palm (Wodyetia bifurcata)
o Compact and attractive for courtyards or central planters.
4. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
o Indoor/outdoor, small-scale palm for shaded corridors.
SHRUBS & BUSHES
1. San Francisco / Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
o Colorful foliage, low maintenance.
2. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra)
o Hardy, flowering climber or shrub; good for fencing and walls.
3. Ixora (Ixora coccinea)
o Compact, evergreen, with small red/yellow flower clusters.
4. Hibiscus / Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
o Tropical flowering shrub, educational and ornamental value.
5. Golden Duranta (Duranta erecta ‘Golden Edge’)
o Bright foliage, suitable for hedges or borders.
GROUND COVERS & ACCENTS
1. Carabao Grass (Paspalum conjugatum)
o Traditional, durable for large open lawns.
2. Blue Grass / Zoysia (Zoysia matrella)
o Soft and neat lawn grass, slow-growing.
3. Wedelia (Sphagneticola trilobata)
o Fast-spreading ground cover with yellow flowers.
4. Liriope (Liriope muscari)
o Grass-like, purple-flowered, great for borders.
5. Ferns (Asplenium nidus, Nephrolepis exaltata)
o Great for shaded understory or rain garden zones.
PLANTS FOR COURTYARDS / ENTRYWAYS
1. Ornamental Banana (Musa spp.)
o Adds tropical flair, bold leaves.
2. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
o Iconic flowers and structured foliage.
3. Heliconia spp.
o Bright tropical colors, thrives in humid conditions.
4. Calathea / Maranta (Prayer Plants)
o Ideal for shaded nooks or indoor gardens.
SCENTED / FUNCTIONAL PLANTS FOR WELLNESS
1. Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata)
o Fragrant flowers, culturally significant.
2. Sampaguita (Jasminum sambac)
o National flower, fragrant and symbolic.
3. Lagundi (Vitex negundo)
o Medicinal plant, also ornamental.
4. Pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius)
o Functional, fragrant, and great for sensory gardens.
Design Considerations
Canopy + understory layering creates thermal comfort.
Use native and drought-resistant species to reduce maintenance.
Incorporate shade trees along walkways, flowering plants in
courtyards, and low shrubs near windows to avoid blocking light.
Create pocket gardens or rain gardens for stormwater
management.
RECOMMENDED IN BAGUIO CITY
- Hardy, cold-tolerant species that thrive in temperate to
subtropical conditions
- Evergreens and pines for year-round structure
- Color and fragrance to complement the misty atmosphere
- Low maintenance, water-wise planting
TREES (for Shade, Identity & Structure)
1. Benguet Pine (Pinus kesiya)
o Signature tree of Baguio; tall, majestic, provides excellent shade.
2. Alnus (Alnus japonica / Alnus nepalensis)
o Fast-growing nitrogen fixer; commonly planted in Baguio for soil
improvement.
3. Tree Fern (Cyathea spp.)
o Adds a native, tropical montane forest character.
4. Molinong (Clethra tomentosa) (native to highlands)
o A small tree or large shrub with fragrant white flowers.
5. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
o Great for courtyards and pathways; gives autumn color and
thrives in cooler elevations.
SHRUBS AND BUSHES
1. Camellia (Camellia japonica)
o Suits cool climates, blooms in winter, adds elegance to
entryways.
2. Azalea (Rhododendron simsii)
o Popular in Baguio parks, colorful spring blooms, shade-tolerant.
3. Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
o Fragrant white flowers; works well near windows and paths.
4. Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
o Cool-loving, large flower clusters; great for beds and hedges.
5. Daisy Bush (Argyranthemum frutescens)
o Hardy, flowering shrub; commonly seen in Baguio roadside beds.
GROUND COVERS AND BORDERS
1. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
o Works as a climber or groundcover; green all year.
2. Liriope (Liriope muscari)
o Grass-like, ideal for shaded areas; small purple flower spikes.
3. Ferns (e.g., Boston Fern, Maidenhair Fern)
o Thrive in Baguio’s cool, humid undergrowth areas.
4. Santolina (Santolina chamaecyparissus)
o Compact, silver-leaved, aromatic groundcover.
5. Hosta (Hosta spp.)
o Shade-loving, lush foliage with occasional flowers.
FLOWERING PLANTS / ACCENTS
1. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)
o Thrives in cool climates, adds vertical color.
2. Begonias (Begonia spp.)
o Great for pots and shaded walkways.
3. Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
o Colorful bedding plants, perfect for dorm garden beds.
4. Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
o Hardy, cheerful, and helps repel pests.
5. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
o Fragrant and calming, ideal for wellness and study garden areas.
AROMATIC / WELLNESS GARDEN PLANTS
1. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
o Evergreen, fragrant, usable for cooking and therapeutic gardens.
2. Mint (Mentha spp.)
o Easy to grow in pots or borders, aromatic.
3. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
o Hardy and multi-functional, repels mosquitoes.
4. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
o Ornamental and edible; good groundcover in sunny areas.
DESIGN NOTES for Baguio Setting
Incorporate sloped garden beds with retaining edges due to hilly
terrain.
Use stone pathways and pine needle mulch for erosion control.
Design wind-buffered spaces using hedges or trellises due to
occasional strong upland breezes.
Add pocket gardens, rain gardens, or green walls near dorms for
study and relaxation zones.
