Well, for the lavender, I'm always getting all hopeful when i see something that might be that, but it always turns out to be blue salvia when I get up close. I think there are a few folks here who've managed to get lavender to survive, but I'm sure not one.

Japanese boxwood should do well in S FL. There's also a native boxwood in the area, Schaefferia frutescens, but I don't know where you can get it.

Hi
You mean those fantastic rows of geometricly clipped hedges that you see in pix of Versailles or the more relaxed "Country french?? Both would be a challenge lol.
There are many tropical plants that would lend themselves
to the clipping. How high do you want the "hedges"??
Ah Lavender I have had no long term luck with it particularly during summer BUT have been seeing cultivars that are supposed to be "Heat tolerant " Noticed them in the "box stores" but haven't tried them I'm going for the "unkempt jungle " look lol Good luck sounds glorious gary