• Height: 2-4 ft
  
• Spread: 1-3 ft
  
• Light: Full sun
  
• Soil: Dry-Average, Well drained
  
• Zone: 4-9
  
• Deer Resistance: Moderate
  
• Deciduous
• Native

The common name stems from the soft hairs in the foliage that give it a gray-green color. 4-inch sunshine yellow flowers emerge in late summer and bloom into fall with seeds forming in fall for the songbirds to enjoy! Blooms tend to follow the sun like traditional sunflowers do.

Helianthus is loved by bees, especially bumble bees! The pollen has even been shown to reduce certain gut parasites in bumble bees. Hummingbirds and butterflies also enjoy the nectar from Ashy Sunflower. Birds will visit in the fall to eat the seeds, Goldfinches are particularly interested in the seeds.

Not a very particular perennial when it comes to soil, as long as it's well drained. This species spreads by rhizomes and seeds which leads it to spread quickly. A great choice for meadows or naturalized areas.