I signed the contract today to replace our AC with a heat pump that will work in conjunction with our gas furnace. Since the AC sits below a window and the heat pump will be much larger, it has to move to the end of the house where it will be a lot more visible. There won't be much room for bushes or other vegetation due to basement windows I don't want to block.
I'm thinking some kind of fence 4-5' tall with some taller, narrower perennials around it but I don't have a great idea yet on any details. For example, we looked at some PVC picket fence sections at Lowes last night be I wasn't crazy about the design. They also had some PT picket fence sections we liked better, but its a maintenance headache. The screening will also serve protect it to some extent from windblown debris and snow in the winter since it will be pretty exposed there.
One of these days I'll actually do some woodworking once all these house projects are done. This could be woodworking, though I'd really like something maintenance-free.