I have a couple of Rudbeckia plants; however, the flowers dry up and look bronzy as soon as they bloom. The flowers in gardening books look pink and pretty. What can I do to make them look healthier?
Rudbeckia tends to be yellow and brown. There is a flower that looks similar to Rudbeckia and is pink.This is Echinacea, also known as Purple Coneflower.
I bought a different kind of rudbeckia not realizing the height was 5 feet.
While you really cannot do anything about its height per say, you can trim the plants or deadhead to encourage more compact growth.
Is there a way to kill an invasive rudbeckia without having to dig it up? Thanks.
Unfortunately, unless you want to resort to herbicides, like Round-up, digging the plant up may be the best way to remove it. Getting it before it flowers and subsequently drops seed will help with 'pop-up' seedlings too.
I am digging perennials from an old bed where the plants are not marked. I need help distinguishing between rudbeckia and coneflower leaves. Also, need to see what the leaves of a peached leaf bell flower looks like.
A rudbeckia leaf: http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowalt/Rudbeckia_laciniata_leaf.jpg
Peach Leaf Bellflower: http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/2007/10/27/Xenomorf/a763aa.jpg
Eastern Purple Coneflower: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/udata/r9ndp23q/pd2/echinacea-purpurea-6.jpg
Something is eating the petals.
Something has been after mine too! I have found aphids on my plants, but leaf spot can be an issue also.
Treat with Neem Oil, as it works as both a fungicide and insecticide.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/black-eyed-susan/rudbeckia-leaf-spot.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
I have planted perennials I never had before. I don't know if I should cut them back in the fall like we do for hostas and others. They are: Jupiter's Beard, Gaura lindheimeri, Golden Groundsel (rudbekia), bugleweed, aster, serbian bell flower, wormwood-Powis Castle, Chrysanthemum.
I'm listing links for the plants you mention.
You generally can leave most perennials to die off themselves. I choose to leave some for winter interest, Black Eyed Susan is quite lovely in the winter.
Cutting the plants back to about 4 to 6 inches in height at the end of the season can help neaten up the garden and make spring clean up easier.
This will help with pruning and winter care.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/valerian/growing-jupiters-beard-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gaura/growing-gaura-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/black-eyed-susan/black-eyed-susan-flower.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/ajuga/ajuga-bugleweed.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/wormwood/wormwood-plant-growing-sweet-annie.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/chrysanthemum/growing-chrysanthemum-flowers.htm
How can you tell if your Black-eyed Susan is an annual or perennial??
Rudbeckia is a perennial.
The Black Eyed Susan Vine is grown as an annual in climates colder then zone 10.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/black-eyed-susan/black-eyed-susan-flower.htm