Frosts and 40 degrees

Hi

I'm looking to build a list of suitable plants/small trees for our 'house paddock' on our farm in the Hunter. Love hedges, so I guess photinia would be on the list.

Need hardy plants as we get frosts in winter & 40+ degrees in summer. And just for another challenge on the list, we're on tank water.

Already have crepe myrtle on the list, but would welcome recommendations of which ones are hardier than others.

Sounds like we live in a similar climate. I can't help you with any experiences growing a hedge, but for a feature garden I am actually growing palms!!!! I've taken a huge risk, especially considering that winter and spring are normally our wet seasons here when palms should be kept a bit drier, but there are certainly some types that grow pretty well around here. Two years ago we had 3 frosts in a row that approached -3 degrees, and the previous summer (our Black Saturday bushfire year) it reached 46 here.

Back to hedges, and taking your photinia suggestion as a cue: I take it you've seen this website?
http://www.timsgardencentre.com.au/super.htm

Pittosporums might be OK too, they also grow well around here, and give a bit of an English look. This website features them, as well as others:
http://www.swanesgardencare.com.au/Hedges.html

Good luck!

Westringea, Melaleuca nesophila, Vibernum tinus, yeah Photinia, Grevillea olivacea