Adding shrubbery around the house can add curb appeal and can increase the value of a house. There are many things to consider when choosing your plants - right plant for right place. It's very important to take into account the height and width of the plant at its maturity.
You need to have at least 18-24 inches of space between the plant and the house at all times for proper airflow. Shrubbery should be at least 3 feet away from all sides of outdoor air conditioning units or heat pumps with a minimum of 6 feet above the units for the system to operate efficiently.