You should see my muscles!) After all, your plants are real ones, not plastic. Nothing is as breathtaking as a field full of these bright flowers, and nothing as devastating as discovering spots on black eyed Susan. Jill enjoys cooking, abstract painting, stewardship & learning about gardening through the MD Master Gardener & Master Naturalist programs. It is unclear why the Black-eyed Susan is more commonly called Black-eyed rather than Brown-eyed since the protruding central disk is brown. They're Black-eyed Susans, RUDBECKIA HIRTA, members of the Sunflower or Composite Family, so the yellow "petals" are actually flattened ray flowers, and the flower-head's dark, raised center -- the "black eye" -- is composed of many dark purple, cylindrical "disk flowers." They produce black spots on shastas. Limit the spread by dividing clumps every four to five years. The Black-Eyed Susan belongs to the sunflower family and is the state flower of Maryland. So sorry your black-eyed Susan are having problems. There are several that infect rudbeckia. Until two years ago, when our lovely clumps of black-eyed Susans were plagued by rust, gray mold, and mildew. This plant is easy to grow and grows fast to give a bright show of color, but is rather short-lived. In fact, it probably would have. My black eyed Susan’s are not in bloom yet but some of the new leaves are shriveled and there is sometime inside that is black kind of grainy about the size of a pea. Unfortunately when we run our sprinkler system, everything gets watered from the top but other than that, the other methods you use can be utilized in our garden. Pictured: our Rudbeckia hirta before being hit by a nasty bout of rust. Slender, fuzzy, disease-resistant leaves cover a compact, rounded form, with masses of classic gold and black blooms providing color right up until frost. Rudbeckia hirta is a short-lived Black-eyed Susan primarily grown as an annual in cold climates. Thanks for the vote & the pin. Removing new plants that form from rhizomes at the base of clumps will keep moisture down by improving air flow. It’s now affecting other plants like my shasta daisies. Fuzzy leaves Post #6521885. During the freezes and thaws of winter, moisture collected in the plants, providing the perfect environment for mold and mildew. If there are too many you might try a spray of B.T. Black Eyed Susan Identification. Hi Barbara, I hope your black-eyed Susan don't get it, too. do rabbits eat black eyed Susan plants? Lesions usually start on leaves near the ground, but soon work their way up the plant through splashing water. Fortunately, our plants didn't die from their infections, but they looked like they wanted to! Because of our past problems with disease, I inspect our clumps of black-eyed Susan regularly, immediately removing any withered leaves on the ground and snipping off any leaves that look infected. After researching the problem, I discovered that I should start doing what I should have been doing all along: caring for my Rudbeckia hirta in a less cavalier fashion. They will add a patch of bright yellow to your garden and mix well with annuals and shrubs. Good luck! Spots may remain round or develop more of an angular look when they run into leaf veins. If it's wilt, getting the plants out of the ground and into a pot with soil that drains well would help. It’s also a medicinal herb believed to treat colds, flu and even snakebites. They're Black-eyed Susans, RUDBECKIA HIRTA, members of the Sunflower or Composite Family, so the yellow "petals" are actually flattened ray flowers, and the flower-head's dark, raised center -- the "black eye" -- is composed of many dark purple, cylindrical "disk flowers." Unfortunately, these plants will not deter them completely. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on June 03, 2020: Hi, Pamela. Hairy stem has a fuzzy appearance The leaves appear alternately on petioles along the stem. Another plant that shares the black-eyed Susan common name is the Thunbergia alata, or more commonly referred to as the black-eyed Susan vine. What to do, without resorting to chemicals (which I adamantly refuse to use)? I have two types of black eyed susans and would like to direct my daughter-in-law to get one rather than the other. Life Is Like The Mother Of Thousands Succulent, What’s Your Plant Story: American Oak Tree Planting In Basque Country. How to Grow Black Eyed Susans from Seed. Well this could not have come at a better time. Similar Images . Both of ours are up now, between six and ten inches tall. It should be no surprise that plants with a strong fragrance or fuzzy leaves like lavender and black-eyed Susan are less popular with rabbits. If your Rudbeckia suffer from leaf spots each season, you may consider applying a copper-based fungicide to the plants when they emerge and continue treating them on a schedule to prevent infection. R. fulgida (left) has long, teardrop-shaped toothed leaves, dark green in color, sometimes tinged purple; the leaves of R. hirta (right) are paler in color, more narrow, less toothy, and leaves and stems are hairy. The best way to handle this problem is to clean up dead debris before new foliage has emerged in spring and before the first frost in fall. Black spots on Rudbeckia don’t interfere with blooming. The fuzzy leaves also show improved resistance to leaf spot. Will self-seed after blooming, to give another display later in […] Or, periodically remove the small plants that form from rhizomes next to the main clump. Spotted leaves on black eyed Susan appear where fungal spores have been allowed to overwinter and conditions were right for reinfection in the spring. An herbaceous perennial. Doing so will remove old spores that could infect new foliage. Good air flow will reduce the likelihood of the sort of moisture build-up that encourages mold and mildew. Answer: If some of the plants already are showing signs of rust, I would dig the rusty plants up and discard them (don't compost them) then scrape away and discard as much of the mulch or soil around them as well to mitigate (not necessarily eliminate) the problem. Mealybugs can cause extensive damage to houseplants. Bookmark. Plant black-eyed Susan in full sun with good air circulation to also help prevent fungus growth. Pruning your roses, especially their centers, will help reduce trapped moisture also. Annual Black Eyed Susan is not really a weed either but sometimes it's in the wrong. It should be no surprise that plants with a strong fragrance or fuzzy leaves like lavender and black-eyed Susan are less popular with rabbits. century. The Black-Eyed Susan is known to be pioneer plants since they’re the first to grow after instances of fire or natural calamities. Silvery Checkerspot butterfly lays eggs on the black-eyed Susan (leaves represent basic source of food for the caterpillars after hatching). Not only do they hold moisture, but they also attract pests. Unfortunately, these plants will not deter them completely. Once you do, it takes time and patience to get rid of it without using any sort of fungicide, organic or otherwise. Try planting them in March, April, Oct. or Nov. if you are in Zone 10. An upright, rhizomatous, clump-forming, free-blooming coneflower which typically grows to 3' tall, often forming colonies in the wild. As settlers felled trees to open fields and pastures, they created habitat for sun-loving meadow plants. A: That's actually a fairly common disease on black-eyed susans cleverly called "leaf spot," and it usually is at its worst in warm, humid weather (i.e. Whew! Black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata) is regarded as an environmental weed in New South Wales and Queensland. You could always plant them elsewhere in your garden. There are two varieties in New England, one (Rudbeckia hirta var. Black-eyed Susan. Asclepias tuberosa Rudbeckia hirta o o . The leaves of this plant has been used in herbal medicines and the petals to produce yellow dye. Question: My black-eyed Susans are very small but popping out and already have black spots. Voted up and pinning. After all, Rudbeckia hirta is naturally prone to rust, gray mold and mildew infections. A must for sunny perennial borders and cutting gardens. Can You Darken A Tree That’s Been Sun Bleached? If, despite your best efforts, the Rudbeckia hirta in your garden becomes infected with rust, mold or mildew, remove infected stems and leaves, both from the plant and the ground. The Black Eyed Susan(Rudebekia) is an easily recognizable plant native to most of North America. So these days, I cut our flowers back at least twice: once after the first flowering and once at the end of fall. If you have fungal issues, too, you could try removing the black-eyed Susans and thinning the other plants so that there is lots of space around them. What could cause this? --Jill, Rebecca, you're going to have to get some black-eyed Susan, girl! Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. It should be no surprise that plants with a strong fragrance or fuzzy leaves like lavender and black-eyed Susan are less popular with rabbits. Generally found in small to large colonies in open fields and roadside ditches, Black Eyed Susan are readily identifiable by their height, bloom time, leaves and stalk. Regularly dividing Rudbeckia hirta means you're going to have lots of little black-eyed Susan plants! They both grow 2 1/2' tall. ... (though the damaged leaves alert you to their presence, while fresh droppings give away their location). Faith Reaper from southern USA on June 02, 2013: Thanks for another useful and interesting hub here. Moisture and, ultimately, rust and mold. Black Eyed Susan also makes an excellent backdrop floral choice. You might want to dig up the shriveling plants, remove the damaged parts, shake off the old dirt, wash the plants with insecticidal soap, and plant them in a pot or pots with new soil. Rabbits grazing in your flower beds will simply eat around the less enticing plants. Bloom Color- ... have a fuzzy appearance. Voted up, useful and interesting and sharing! Jersey. This post compares the Black-eyed susan with another coneflower commonly called Tall coneflower, Green-headed coneflower, or Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata). Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on June 13, 2013: These are some great tips. Also, if you have a heavy application of mulch, scrape it back so there's only two inches at most. Rabbits grazing in your flower beds will simply eat around the less enticing plants. You could also give the extras to friends, donate them to parks, or compost them (if they're disease free.). The "true" black-eyed Susan is the closely related Rudbeckia hirta, which is also sometimes called the ox-eye daisy; though it is not, of course, a daisy. The leaves appear alternately on petioles along the stem. It could be a pest or Verticillium wilt. It should be no surprise that plants with a strong fragrance or fuzzy leaves like lavender and black-eyed Susan are less popular with rabbits. Would you know? I will be referencing this later today after these wicked storms have passed. Avoid using sprinkler irrigation. The scientific name is Rudbeckia hirta. Melampodium leucanthum o . This plant is easy to grow and grows fast to give a bright show of color, but is rather short-lived. Although thick masses of black-eyed Susan in the shade are pretty at first, the size and location are an invitation to disease. N, yellow dark-centered daisy, flowers May to September . Hope you have a wonderful week too. Avoid using harsh chemicals in your garden with these 7 tips. If you don’t get rid of mealybugs fast, the plant damage can be so extensive that they cause the houseplant to die. Growing Black Eyed Susan Vines: How To Propagate A Black Eyed Susan Vine, Guide To Rudbeckia Deadheading – How To Deadhead Black Eyed Susans, Epsom Salt Rose Fertilizer: Should You Use Epsom Salt For Rose Bushes, Brown Spots On Knockout Rose Bush: Reasons For Knockout Roses Turning Brown, What Are Helianthemum Plants – Sunrose Care Tips And Information, What Are Navel Orangeworms: Controlling Navel Orangeworms On Nuts, Mandarin Orange Tree Care: Planting A Mandarin Orange Tree, Pomelo Tree Care – Pummelo Tree Growing Information. To maintain proper spacing for good air circulation, you’ll have to aggressively pull volunteer seedlings that spring from the many seeds Rudbeckia produce in the fall. My black eyed Susans are ok. At last, a hybrid Black-Eyed Susan that thrives in wet, humid climates! Hirta means hairy, referring to the fuzzy hairs that cover the leaves and stem, … Thus, some cultivated strains may be introduced. In the wild it is generally around 2′ tall (60 cm) while in cultivated areas it can reach 3-4′ (1-1.3 m). Post #6523958. It should be no surprise that plants with a strong fragrance or fuzzy leaves like lavender and black-eyed Susan are less popular with rabbits. Black-Eyed Susan can be distinguished from other Rudbeckia spp.by its lanceolate hairy leaves and the long hairs on the stems; most of the leaves occur toward the base of each stem, and never have lobes. Who doesn't love the cheery faces of Rudbeckia hirta flowers? Remove them all but cutting everything off or digging them up? When it spreads, however, it creates masses of close clumps, and you know what that means! And keep the weeds down, too. The rudbeckias and echinaceas are both perennial members of the aster family, which also includes chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers, and of course true asters. As settlers felled trees to open fields and pastures, they created habitat for sun-loving meadow plants. Jill. This is good to know! Black Eyed Susan Identification. How To Prevent Rust, Mildew, and Fungus on Black-Eyed Susan. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' has been selected by the Perennial Plant Association as the 1999 Perennial Plant of the Year. Sweet black-eyed Susan smells sweetest after the blooms fade. Overwatering will cause rust and mildew, too, as will positioning your black-eyed Susan in a shady rather than a full-sun spot or planting it in soil that doesn't drain well. It makes a lot of sense to know what one needs to do with these flowers. Awesome, Peggy! Unfortunately, these plants will not deter them completely. The semi-double and single flowers are adorned with bright, golden-yellow rays surrounding a dark chocolate center disk. On average, black-eyed Susan plants grow 24 to 36 inches tall and wide. Noteworthy Characteristics. (That's what I do. https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/... planting them in an appropriate location. One has very large orange/yellow flowers (4"+ across) and has fuzzy wide leaves. To prevent this, you can do one of two things. Again, since the spots are mainly cosmetic, this may be a wasted effort if you don’t mind spotty foliage. Stunted growth, yellowing leaves, leaf drop, are all ways that these tiny fuzzy white bugs damage plants. Hairy stem has a fuzzy appearance. Adding bold, stunning color to the garden, award-winning Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer' (Black-Eyed Susan) is a biennial boasting stunning, extra-large daisy-like flowers, up to 6-9 in. There are two varieties in New England, one (Rudbeckia hirta var. black-eyed Susan Interesting Notes. Black spots on Rudbeckia, also known as black eyed Susan, are very common and occur in a large percentage of the population each year. Thanks for the share and the votes. But a soaker hose attached to a spigot or rain barrel, or an in-ground watering system can make the task of watering your Rudbeckia hirta from the bottom as simple as turning a spigot. The foliage looks paler this year too. The plants can grow to over 3 feet tall, with leaves of 6 inches, stalks over 8 inches long, and flowers with a diameter of 2 to 3 inches. To me, they're a cottage garden staple and an absolute must-have for gardeners in Maryland, where black-eyed Susan is the state flower. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on June 03, 2013: Hi azrestoexp! wide (15-22 cm) - one of the largest blooms among Rudbeckia. Tight spacing, overhead watering and high humidity contribute to the spread of these leaf spot diseases – the very nature of these plants makes breaking the disease cycle difficult. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on June 01, 2013: Hi faythef. Have a great week ahead! Although it seems like it should be a cause for serious alarm, most of the time spotted leaves on black eyed Susan are only a minor annoyance with a simple cure. The bold, black center eyes don’t miss a trick as they watch over the garden en masse. Thank you for the tips..Mine too are suffering from the same problems..voting up and sharing. The name black-eyed Susan is an epithet of the flower’s signature dark brown center, hence the “black-eyed” reference. Bookmark. The legend says that the name black-eyed Susan originated from an Old English Poem written by John Gay entitled‘Sweet William’s Farewell To Black-Eyed Susan’. Black-Eyed Susan Turn the heat up for one last summer blast with mounds of orange-yellow biennial (or short-lived perennial) black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta . Question: My plants are turning crispy brown in the middle of the clump. Black eyed Susan spots often start as small, dark brown lesions that grow up to ¼-inch (.6 cm.) Members of the aster family, Asteraceae, the “black eye” is named for the dark, brown-purple centers of its daisy-like flower heads. They have yellow daisy-like flowers with a black center—hence the name ‘black-eyed Susan.’ These plants grow to between 12” and 39” (30 – 100 cm) tall. These methods for preventing mildew, gray mold and rust on Rudbeckia hirta plants are aimed at keeping moisture around the plant down (mold, fungi and rust love moisture) and lessening the spread of the spores that cause infections. The And once they're established, black-eyed Susan is fairly drought tolerant. If your plants are in a wet area, that exacerbates wilt. Easily identified by it's hairy leaves it starts as a low rosette and then grows to about 2 feet in hieght. Unfortunately, these plants will not deter them completely. our typical August). The poem was about how these wildflowers and the sweet William plant (Dianthus barbatus) bloom together beautifully. One thing I noticed this spring is my shasta daisies all have white spots on them. Arizona's Restoration Experts, LLC on June 03, 2013: Nice hub. This would reduce the moisture that encourages fungal disease. A … My roses look awful too. Fuzzy, almost bristly leaves put black-eyed Susan on the do-not-disturb list for deer and rabbits. I try my best not to use anything other than best practices. The clumps in our neighbors' yards and in the parks and public gardens where I volunteer were also suffering from rusty leaf spots and shriveled stalks that looked almost burnt at the bottoms. With their brown button centers and bright yellow petals, Rudbeckia hirta flowers (commonly called black-eyed Susan) are cheery additions to informal gardens, landscaping islands, mailbox gardens, and borders. The green foliage is covered in coarse hairs that help trap moisture and the plants flower even in drought conditions. Similar Images . Then bag them up and stick them in the trash posthaste. My neighbour and I have two different varieties of Blackeyed Susans (both grown from seed, started 3 years ago). Black-eyed coneflower (also commonly known as black-eyed Susan) is planted as a garden ornamental, and also used in seed mixes for prairie restoration or erosion control. Because the Rudbeckias are native plants of North America, some people will say I can not properly call them "invasive" here. The leaf has indications of damage with brown areas. (In our case, that means yearly.) There are few flowers as iconic as the black eyed Susan – these noble and tough prairie flowers capture the hearts and minds of the gardeners who grow them, sometimes in droves. In order to lessen the spread of infection, be sure to clean the blades of any garden tools that you use to remove infected plant parts before you use them elsewhere in the garden. I decided to give foxgloves from seed another try that year, and I had a few germinations- and 3 or 4 healthy plants grow to be planted. What do I do? If plants are happy, they can spread somewhat aggressively with underground stems and self-sowing. Fortunately, none of these leaf spots are serious and can be treated with the same chemicals, making identification more of an intellectual exercise than a necessary step. With their brown button centers and bright yellow petals, Rudbeckia hirta flowers (commonly called black-eyed Susan) are cheery additions to informal gardens, landscaping islands, mailbox gardens, and borders. The problem seems to be progressing from one side of the plant to the other, with the leaves and stalks turning brown and drying up. Black-eyed Susan is a native of the prairies and was virtually unknown in the forested lands of eastern North America before the 19. th. Take care, Jill. That may be helpful, depending upon what fungus your rudbeckia has. Either divide your plants in the spring or fall (spring's best) when they've formed a mass of too-tight clumps. Now, although I liked the look and the birds liked the seed, I realize that not cutting the plants back at the end of the growing season was a mistake. Asked August 29, 2017, 11:01 PM EDT. A … It's like an epidemic! An overcrowded patch of black-eyed Susan in a shady spot equals a hotbed of rust. Thus, some cultivated strains may be introduced. Insect killing black eyed Susan's. Black-eyed Susan is a native of the prairies and was virtually unknown in the forested lands of eastern North America before the 19. th. Blackfoot Daisy. ... (though the damaged leaves alert you to their presence, while fresh droppings give away their location). The symptoms of common Rudbeckia leaf spot diseases are so similar though, that it’s hard to distinguish between them without a microscope. hirta) is a rare native found in Massachusetts and Vermont. This concoction is usually only used on vegetable gardens because it has an unpleasant odor. You can directly seed Black Eyed Susan’s 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost, or if starting indoors 6 to 8 weeks before. Leaf spot is a common fungal disease on black-eyed susans this time of year, but it's too late to do much about it now. It is drought and heat tolerant after being established in the garden and has reduced sensitivity to powdery mildew. What is it and can I get rid of it or do I just have to dig up all my plants that are infected. Rarely, the Black-eyed Susan appears to have co-joined flowers. Cutting back the plants after their first blooming will also increase airflow—and your flowers will bloom again! Sign up for our newsletter. toxic even though they are organic. Formerly, I grew them with blithe ease—planting them in various spots in our landscape, watering them occasionally during the hottest days of summer and dividing the thick green bunches every few years in either the spring or fall. I think many people don't realize that organic fungicides, herbicides and pesticides are harsh and, of course (or else they wouldn't work!) I'm wondering if it isn't pest damage. I know it's much easier to spray your entire flowerbed with a hose than it is to water each individual plant at its base, but overhead watering almost guarantees rust and mildew on black-eyed Susan. How Do You Know When You've Mastered Gardening? It should be no surprise that plants with a strong fragrance or fuzzy leaves like lavender and black-eyed Susan are less popular with rabbits. Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on June 13, 2013: Just the information I need about getting rid of fungus. Deb Hirt from Stillwater, OK on June 02, 2013: I love these flowers. (And keep up w/the neighbors.) Is something wrong? Black-eyed Susan has a tendency to spread, particularly when it's in the sort of location it likes: full-sun and rich, well-drained soil. Glad the hub is helpful to you & thanks for sharing it. Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on June 01, 2013: I just love black-eyed susans. Black-Eyed Susan #2: Rudbeckia fulgida Members of the aster family, Asteraceae, the “black eye” is named for the dark, brown-purple centers of its daisy-like flower heads. --Jill. Black-eyed Susan are among my favorites, too. You can directly seed Black Eyed Susan’s 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost, or if starting indoors 6 to 8 weeks before. I must have spent hours loooking at the fuzzy leaves hoping they weren't stray black-eyed susans. Silvery Checkerspot butterfly lays eggs on the black-eyed Susan (leaves represent basic source of food for the caterpillars after hatching). The upper leaves may lack petioles. Annual Black Eyed Susan: (Rudbeckia annua) annual. Legend has it that "black-eyed Susan" and "sweet William", a European wildflower, bloom at the same time to celebrate their eternal love. To me, they're a cottage garden staple and an absolute must-have for gardeners in Maryland, where black-eyed Susan is the state flower. Ms. Dora, I hope the info helps you out w/the fungus in your garden. They are said to be hardy in zones 3 or 4 through 9. Rabbits grazing in your flower beds will simply eat around the less enticing plants. At the center of these petals is a dark, brownish tube. 'Irish Eyes' Butterflies, birds, and bees will not miss these glowing yellow beacons on the 30-inch-tall … Jersey. Generally found in small to large colonies in open fields and roadside ditches, Black Eyed Susan are readily identifiable by their height, bloom time, leaves and stalk. You shouldn't have fungus problems there. … Tight spacing, overhead watering and high humidity contribute to the spread of these leaf spot diseases – the very nature of these plants makes breaking the disease cycle difficult. Stalk Stem. Easily controlled by cutting the crown. It's almost too hot here to go outside, but I'm going to anyway. They're easy to grow, but as bitter experience has taught me, they can't be treated just anyhow! Black Eyed Susans are a fantastic candidate for Winter Sowing. Can't wait to see your next batch of pics from Boomer Lake. In the wild it is generally around 2′ tall (60 cm) while in cultivated areas it can reach 3-4′ (1-1.3 m). Unlike the Rudbeckia black-eyed Susan, the Thunbergia black-eyed Susan vine has tubular blooms with five broad, clear-colored, and overlapping petals. But I don't think it would have succumbed so completely, especially since our plants are doing fairly well now that I'm treating them with the care that they deserve. Bacterial leaf spots: Angular, brown to purplish spots primarily on lower leaves may kill the entire leaf. Answer: A milk/water fungicide has shown some effect on powdery mildew. It takes time & patience to get rid of it, that's for sure. Black-eyed Susans are also subject to several types of leaf spotting, caused by fungal organisms and treated through copper-based fungicides. Rudbeckia fulgida is a Missouri native which occurs in both dry and moist soils in open woods, glades and thickets. I hope we don't have the problem this year with ours. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on June 02, 2013: Hi livingsta! And it wasn't just our black-eyed Susan either. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on May 27, 2015: Hi Sherry! Appreciate it! It is drought and heat tolerant after being established in the garden and has reduced sensitivity to powdery mildew. Stalk Stem. Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas: At the end of the season, remove all above ground plant parts. Question: All my black eyed Susan’s have this and all over. removing any and all infected plant parts. Rudbeckia hirta should grow there. And almost as soon as the plants emerged in spring, we began having rust, mold and mildew problems. Furthermore, do rabbits eat black eyed Susan plants? do rabbits eat black eyed Susan plants? A compact cousin to the indispensable Black-eyed Susan, this flower powerhouse produces masses of blossoms from summer into fall. At last, a hybrid Black-Eyed Susan that thrives in wet, humid climates! #110898328 - Field of black and white black eyed susans with one yellow. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on June 13, 2013: Hi Glimmer Twin. Rudbeckia hirta generally grows in clumps anywhere from one to two feet wide. The.. Black-eyed Susan is one of the most well-known native wildflowers, but it wasn’t always a common sight here in New Jersey. Black-eyed Susan is a native of the prairies and was virtually unknown in the forested lands of eastern North America before the 19 th century. Answer: It sounds as if some sort of pathogen is at play, perhaps Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum and Sclerotium Rolfsii. It is also a potential environmental weed or "sleeper weed" in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Quote. Black Eyed Susans are a fantastic candidate for Winter Sowing. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Some basic garden maintenance for your black-eyed Susan includes: Of course, if I had done these things previously, our black-eyed Susan might still have become infected. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. The Perennial Plant Association's 1999 Perennial Plant of the Year™ Rudbeckia fulgida var. Black Eyed Susan also makes an excellent backdrop floral choice. (; Nice to hear from you--Jill. I've posted a photo (4 MB) at The leaves show some serration, but, as you’ll see when we look at the “other” Black-Eyed Susan, the foliage is definitely different, and is possibly the easiest way to tell the difference between the two. Formerly, I allowed our flowers to go to seed in the fall, thinking its dried stalks and flower heads would lend structure to our garden and that the seeds would feed the birds.