Question
QUESTION: I planted a several black eyed susan this year, they were doing great. alsomost over night I have 1 plant dead, 1 plant where literally 1/2 the plant is dead, and 1 other not looking so hot. Their leaves have a gray hue to them. What could be the problem?

ANSWER: The gray hue may be the first sign you see just before the plant wilts and dies.  The plants may be getting too much water and have a root rot.  They do not need a lot of water. With these plants, there is no reason to try to treat them for the disease.  I would just plant or buy some more.  Good Luck.

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QUESTION: We have had alot of rain. I checked again today, and now 2 of them have exactly 1/2 of the plant that is dead. do you think that 1/2 the plant will survive, or should I just go ahead and dig up and replant?

Answer
The rainfall is probably causing the roots to rot.  BES's do not like a lot of water.  I would pull the plants up and re-plant.  When you do, add a little sand or peat moss in the holes to help with water drainage.  Make sure the holes are much bigger that they need to be to allow for the water to have someplace to go deeper than the root system. You might even plant the plants a little high in the holes where the crown of the plant is raised above the normal soil line.  This should help prevent the root rot.  Good Luck.