A minimum of 18″ clearance around condenser of any shrubs, plants or flowers is required by the manufacturer for proper operation. Condenser has to work twice as hard to provide cooling. Your service technician also has to access the condenser service ports, electrical panel. They will not be able to service that unit properly if access is restrictive or inhibited by shrubs, plants ect. VERY important if it does appear you have poison ivy, sumac, or poison oak around your condenser, your service technician will not be able to service your condenser. I have unfortunately experienced this myself.
