Marigold33 - you don't say where you're located so posters can't offer much help without specific growing conditions in your climate. My mature (or volunteer) black-eyed Susans are spectacular this year despite the prevailing drought--they tend to do well in dry soil. I grew them from seed via winter sowing back in 2007 or so. Black-eyed Susans tend to be long-lived here in my southern New England garden so I just let them "do their thing" and am happy to see them wherever they pop up.

Check out "The Well-Tended Perennial Garden" from your local library for more detailed information on your soil type, the moisture requirements of common annuals & perennials in your zone.

I know mine is slightly acidic sandy loam so I plant accordingly and am really content with my garden beds.

Yes sorry I'm in NY zone 6. My sister in law also grows them and they've usually thrived in her garden. I know the Hirta's are short lived but I think I'm going to try Denver for spring planting, I really like them, they add bright colors to the garden.

What is the soil moisture like when you stick you finger in 3" or so? Wilting can be a sign of transplant shock, but also may mean that it has too much water or too little. Any photos?

I watered it last night and this morning I looked and it perked up. I think it needed more water rather than it being from transplant shock but it is newly planted. There was a heavy downpour a few days ago but then it went into the 90's and that's when it began to decline.

if i had bought a plant in july .. i would have put the pot in bright shade.. and held it over ... for planting in mid september .... when temps fall .. and night temps are chilly ... you not a real hard core gardener.. until you have 100 pots for fall planting.. lol ...

and the reason why ... because with the root interference.. they can not cope for a week or so.. and they wilt ...

regardless .. the roots should be settling in.. and it should live.. it just might be a bit ugly for the rest of the year ... or maybe it will recover ...

just remember.. with perennials.. you are buying a root mass for the future ... not necessarily for immediate impact ...

just because you buy something.. especially in bargain season .. does not mean its the best time to plant ... 'timing' is a very important variable ....

ken

I have quite a few plants but they're mainly roses, daylilies, gaillardias, coneflowers.. they're planted any time up to 10 weeks before frost. The roses need to be watered more at first to help them get adjusted. This is my first Black Eyed Susan and there was no sale :) It was a decision to replace something else. Hydrangeas I read should be planted in the fall compared to this time of year, I'm getting another one and I'm planting it in the fall. It may be better to plant when the weather is cooler but I haven't had any problems before except 'minor' transplant shock which Iv'e had mostly with Vincas and Snapdragons which are planted in the spring.

It's interesting that two university sources, apparently both citing PPA (2002) (OK: it was the PPA Award Winner 1999) state that Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' "grows best in well drained consistently moist soils --- " or " --- appears to grow best in well drained consistently moist soil".

Also, reading earlier GW entries, perhaps it's more appropriate to describe the wild variety (which Goldsturm was originally selected from) as a tall grass prairie plant rather than a prairie plant.