Plants to Grow Near a Heat Pump

• Three main considerations come into play when choosing plants to grow near a heat pump. First, heat pumps are fairly ugly, so disguising them a little is often a main goal when choosing landscaping. Second, heat pumps need free air circulation in order to function properly; fast-growing dense plants will be a problem. Finally, sooner or later the heat pump will need service, so thorny, brambly plants, or those with great masses of intertwining branches would be a problem. Slower-growing shrubs should be just the things.

Sky Pencil

• The United States National Arboretum describes Sky Pencil as a very narrow, virtually maintenance free form of Japanese Holly. This tall, multi-stemmed shrub can grow to 10 feet tall, while maintaining its slender silhouette of only 2 1/2 to 3 feet wide. Sky Pencil does well in moist, well-drained soil in sun or shade. An evergreen, it bears small, shiny dark leaves, with minuscule, dull greenish-white flowers blooming in May and June, and a berry-like fruit emerging in the fall. The flowers and fruit are barely noticeable, so cleaning up around it will not be a problem. Some plant Sky Pencil as a solitary specimen because it offers a strong vertical landscape accent. It is also a good foundation plant; group them around your heat pump, or combine with other shrubs. Sky Pencil generally does not need pruning. Plant on 4-foot centers to give circulating air (and service people) plenty of room. The mature sky pencil should be at least 3 feet away from the heat pump, according to the Landscaping for Energy Savings website, to protect the shrub from damage due by the heat pump.

Boxwood

• Boxwood is another good choice, easily pruned to keep it at a good height and away from the heat pump. Choose a slow-grower with interesting leaves, perhaps variegated, such as Japanese or Littleleaf Boxwood, described by Virginia Tech. Boxwood is a good foundation plant grown to screen things such as heat pumps, propane tanks, and so on. Boxwoods require well-drained soil and appreciate partial shade, although they will grow in full sun. Mulching is very helpful if you live in a dry region. Prune shrubs as necessary to keep them at least 3 feet away from the heat pump to provide for adequate air circulation and to protect the shrub from damage the heat pump could cause.

Blue Prince Holly

• Blue Prince Holly is an evergreen shrub. According to the Morton Arboretum's website, plant with Blue Princess Holly to get a wonderful winter display of red berries. Green glossy, distinctively shaped leaves persist all year. The plants do best in moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. They prefer partial shade. While its growth-rate is slow, prune to maintain a nice shape, otherwise it gets straggly. Blue Prince Holly has only little spines on the edges of its leaves, which should not present a problem for people servicing the heat pump.