That is the South EAST corner of my house.

I put a pygmy date palm (the short kind) next to my a/c. It looks pretty and doesn't bother the unit.

that dietes is a great idea... nothing can kill it.

Canna came to mind because of the moisture. Many colors, non-invasive, not bushy just vertical.

Hi Melissa: My AC is in the same SE orientation as yours. Mine is hidden by Philippine violet (barleria cristata). I planted it out from the AC and even left space for the bag that holds plant material to be recycled.

The shrub has deep green leaves all year and lovely blue trumpet flowers now in the fall.

Cuttings root easily, which is how I got mine. Although it would grow taller, I keep mine about 4' high.

June

Hi
You don't have trouble with the violets seeding?? On my long list of invasives this has got to be at least # 3 lol
Even sprouts in the rain gutters!!.
gary

Melissa, I don't really have any great ideas. I was going to suggest mirror-leaf viburnum as a background foundation plant (a staple, but a bit boring), but you have gotten much better suggestions.

June, your corner is gorgeous!!! I love the trellised allamanda and the beautiful mounds of flowers in front. Who would ever pay any attention to an air conditioning unit with that riot of color in front! Great job.

Anna

Gary: I first saw Philippine violet in a neighbor's yard. It was blooming and one couldn't help but admire it. She promptly broke off a branch and handed it to me, saying it would root easily. Her yard looked tidy so I didn't investigate before planting it by the A.C. unit.

I'm SO glad I didn't know that others, such as you, find it invasive because I wouldn't have risked planting it. In this case, ignorance was bliss because I find PV to be a wonderful plant with only a seedling here or there to pull out. For me it's far from invasive.

Sometimes I wonder if I've bypassed other worthy plants because they've also been labeled invasive. Maybe, for me, they'd be relatively well behaved and a garden treasure to be enjoyed. - June

Good ideas, thanks.

June - I love your a/c corner. Very cool.

I have Phillipine violet in another spot that just started blooming. I have never had it before I really like it too. It might be a good choice. I'll see if the DH objects to the height. I would like the fact that it blocks the view of the a/c but he likes easy access to equipment. Maybe I will plant one in the center and some fortnight lilies in front of it. I keep making the beds wider and wider. The one with the russelia (I think that is it) and pentas to the left of the ugly spot needs to be expanded again.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I will mull them over and post a picture when I get it done.

Melissa