Don't know what variety you have....but whatever it is, keep the dead blooms cut off to keep it blooming as long as possible. But don's shear them...cut them all back there isn't time before frost for them to re grow. Don't let him do that. Is he a landscaper or just a guy with a mower, shears and a crew? There's a difference! Linda C

Hi do you still have these avail. I know that its an older post just love black eye susans. I am new to gardening so at this time I dont have anything to trade. Hope to hear from you soon Margie

I've found Rud' f. fulgida to bloom ealier and longer than Goldstrum. It's not quite as tall or broad and the flowers are a little smaller and a little more yellow. Also, I found that it performed better in a partially shaded site. As always, keep in mind that the same plant in different sites/zones/sub-climates/conditions/soil, etc. will perform differently, but I hope this information is helpful. I happen to love fulgida fulgida. Best of luck!

I think the definition should include the words "if happy in your location". I would define all of them as short-lived perennials. They will fail to over-winter if the soil is too moist--they don't like wet feet in winter. Sometimes if you don't dead head black-eyed-susans they won't come back--maybe it's a survival instinct that if they haven't set seed they'll try, try again. And sometimes, and wrongly too, a plant which is typically annual is called perennial because you find it in the garden the next year--because it is a reliable reseeder. It not come back from the original roots but has successfully reseeded, perhaps even making its own little colony.