another image.

That might be a Salvia - just a guess though.

hmmm - at 30" and growing? although I think I have seen some big salvias...

here's another image, maybe that will help ID? The clump is large, single stemmed rather than growing from a central rosette.

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)?

Jim

Helianthus tuberosus is quite fuzzy on stems and leaves.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:233698}}

I second the Jerusalem artichoke :-) The fuzziness is not always prominent and especially on the younger starts.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:233699}}

It looks like Helianthus 'Lemon Queen'.

Leaves more sandpapery, stems smooth. The clump is about 3' across, it was there last year but I don't remember what it did.