The common name stems from the soft hairs in the foliage that gives 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 song birds to enjoy! Blooms tend to follow the sun like traditional sun flowers do. 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.