I tried to get close enough. It looked like a big fly with white wings, but had like big eyes and was about an inch long. Black mainly but with white wings.

ramazz, no it wasn't yours but that one is sure pretty, very unusual. It was a photo by the side of a house with two large patches of PS and some other flower. They weren't exactly like my photo either as to double. Kind of a double decker effect except the top part was the same size as the bottom. That's how I remember it anyway, and often my memory plays tricks on me. If I can find that thread again, I'll link to it, too far back now. token, one person's trash is another's treasure. I know photos can only show us so much, but I find yours rather interesting, not that I'd run right out and grow it. Expecting something different may skew your perception of it, but I'd let it grow another year and see what it is like. I think it's kind of pretty actually, certainly different. Nice assortment of flowers and plants in your photo. But if you have your heart set on a nice cherry brandy, I'd hope to get some seeds from posters who have the prettiest ones or just try something else. But before you shovel prune it, maybe somebody on freecycle would want it or gasp, somebody here might want some seeds from it. Or a plant hybridizer. Look at what you've got, something truly unique even though not to your liking. If it were crossed with other ones, it could lead to some stunning new Rudbeckia. A grower might even be interested in it. I don't know if white has even shown up in Rudbeckias before or not, and the potential for crosses, good bad and ugly are endless.

Have you seen any shiny slug trails? You'd see slime trails on the plants as well as the top of the soil.

I had the seeds to plant fall crop of greens, I dont' think I will with the major bug problems this year. I'll save row covers for spring. Caterpillars destroyed calendula seedlings, and have been isssue on other plants as well. I think I'll remove everything from veggie garden, till( if I can borrow one) or double dig. Then I'll keep garden free of all weeds, leaf debris, etc. Keep grass mowed...and pray. Just this morning, found a new bug in flower/herb garden: some kinda worms in webs at the flowering ends of my applemint...there goes my mint tea..yuck. Do yo all use insecticides? I think I musta put up a sign in my yard that said: organic gardener : every bug that exists welcome!!!!