Black Eyed Susans

Question

Why don’t my black eyed susans get tall? They spread out but don’t have any height. Thank you.

Answer 1

There are several factors that could be the problem. Pinpointing the right one can be difficult. However, here are some things to try: Check your soil conditions. Chances are this is a soil problem. How’s your drainage? Is the soil staying too wet or too dry? Amending the soil with compost can help fix these issues. The addition of fertilizer may be helpful but will not solve the issue itself. Dig or poke around in the soil and check for signs of pests (such as grubs). Inspect the plants for pests as well. How much sun are your plants getting, etc.? Finally, check out the variety that you are growing. Many people do not realize that there are different types of black eyed susan plants available including annual, biennial and perennial types. Each variety has varying growth rates and heights. There is also a dwarf variety and this could be what you have.