I'll let other, more knowledgeable people make landscaping suggestions, but there's an easy solution that doesn't involve removing the boxwoods.

You could just install a faucet extension on the outside of the hedge.

Claire, always looking for the easy way out

I love your work-around! I might actually use it for a different hose whose placement is less than ideal.

Unfortunately, I just don't like them and am determined to replace them.

There are lots of varieties of hydrangeas that might work. I would avoid anything thorny (such as shrub roses, etc.) since you have to get in there to get at the hose. I also think that some sort of trailing/groundcover type plant would look great cascading down your wall, as well as fill in some around the shrubs. You mentioned lavender, and that would be nice among the shrubs as well. My lavender just grows without any care whatsoever, and blooms twice a year and reseeds easily. Fragrance is nice and the plants don't die to the ground, but are visible all year.