Question
Hello, I have planted brown eyed susans from a plant. Not bulbs.  And the last 2 yrs. they have come up.  But last year I noticed black spots on the leaves.  I was told a fungicide is what's needed. I have sprayed. There are few of these spots again this year.  Does this mean fungicide will have to be used all the time?  Excuse my ignorance I'm not really a gardner, I buy plants and plant them such as a Gold medalion bush white flowered bush etc. emerald & Golds, and never do I  have problems I use miracle gro, everything always looks nice year after year...also my brown eyed susan plant has really come up this year..it's quite tall am I suppose to thin this out in the spring or fall? As I said excuse my ignorance I am not very adept at gardening..I do pull weeds and keep things nice, but know almost nothing re;anything about plants, except to plant them and feed them.  thank you.

Answer
I have been trying for a week now to figure out what you are growing, my friend.  This is a Perennial question, yet you seem to be asking about something I would call a 'Black Eyed Susan'.  To be frank, I have to know what you have or I can't give you any legitimate advice about the problem.

So let's figure this out.

What is the LATIN name for this Perennial?

COULD you call it a Black Eyed Susan?  Or is this something else?  (So many... I don't know where to begin and you probably don't know them anyway.)

The black spots... are raised?  Do they move?  Are they 'painted' on the leaves, or do they show up on the flowers somewhere?  Why do you think they are Fungus spots?  (Fungicide = Fungus problem)

Are you growing these in pots, or in the ground outside?

No need to worry, I just have to know these things.  We all began as beginners.  Me, that was many moons ago...

rsvp!

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER