Western facing can be very tough. Do you have any pics of the area? What height and width are you after?

How much frost are we talking? And what’s the soil like? Do you know what the hedges were that didn’t do well?

Also you may need to rejuvenate your soil, add mulch , a watering system so your plants will survive, we have viburnums in a very exposed condition , they cop cold , heat , storms and they cope well as long as they have water, mulch , good soil and the occasional feed in spring, grasses would cope well also plants with a silver/grey foliage handle dry conditions well.

Ask at your local nursery. They r best placed to advise for local conditions

Your Palms Springs Mid Century Modern Home would suit that style of garden, rocks, gravel, Cactus, succulents etc all suit that climate and yours