Plant in a well-drained soil in full or part sun and irrigate only occasionally as this plant is tolerant of extended dry periods once established. Hardy to 20 F. Makes a good container plant and can be kept compact with heavy pruning. The flowers appear in abundance and make a good show on the gray foliage - this is a very showy and attractive Grevillea.

Grevillea lavandulacea is naturally found across a wide range in Australia from the Grampians of Western Victoria to the Flinders Range in South Australia. The genus name Grevillea honors Charles Francis Greville (1749-1809), a patron of botany, a very close friend of Sir Joseph Banks, and president of the Royal Society of London. The specific epithet means "lavender" in reference to the wooly gray foliage looking like that of a lavender.

This plant is of garden origin and some speculate that rather than a selection of the species, it may actually be a hybrid similar to 'Poorinda Illumia' (thought to be a cross between G. lavandulacea and G lanigera), which may account for its durability and floriferous nature. The name comes from the town of Penola, which is in the southeast corner of South Australia. It has long been a plant in our nursery and has proven to be hardier to cold temperatures than other Grevillea lavandulacea we have grown. We started growing this excellent plant in 1999 and did not wish to discontinue growing it, but we unfortunately let our propagation stock slip away and last sold it in 2021. 

This information about Grevillea lavandulacea 'Penola' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.