Amend your soil a bit and plant a dogwood. There are some lovely variagated ones. Dogwoods like the shade, grows 5 feet tall and tolerate most soils but prefers friable soil(good well draining soil) so adding some organic matter to your clay would be a good thing. All plants need moisture at least until they get settled in. Shrubs like trees can go longer without moisture but it would be good if you can give it a good soaking once in a while

I would vote for a globe cedar, if you're willing to prune it, or get one that actually does grow to a maximum size.

Remember the air conditioner needs airflow so don't get anything that is going to smother it. Also you don't want the plant clogging the a/c up so think about what will fall off of the plant every year.

Good point Northspruce. It's a horizontal A/C, so leaves would easily get into the fan area. I'm also a real fan of evergreens. People seem to really like their dogwoods, so maybe I'll try to get one for a different spot. I like the ones with the fire red leaves in the fall. ( Dogwoods, right?)

This morning I dragged one of those cedars you get at Walmart for $20.00 beside the A/C and it's a perfect size. Can you believe that cedar was bought last year, not even planted, and I think it's going to survive? One of the ones that got planted, is dead. Go figure.

I'll keep my eye out for a globe cedar, as they're hardier if I recall. (?)

I've seen better results with globe cedars than pyramids around here. People really need to think about where they put their pyramid cedars (not you NAF, just in general). I'm sure people don't realize how enormous they get, once they've survived a few winters. I could take pictures around town of pyramid cedars twice the height of the houses they're planted in front of! ;o)

Yes dogwoods have a nice fall colour and some also have nice red stems all winter too.