A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 black spots on black eyed susans

Hi, Why do think my black eye susans are getting black spots ? They have been in the same place for 4 years, the first 2 years they did well and we had to divide some out. Then this year they developed black spots and kind dried up, leaf wise. Sun is 6 hr and water is sprinkler (low flow) 40 min every other day, fertelizer is "shake n' feed" in spring and summer,zone is 6/7, soil is (was) well ammended though not recently tested. I'm not seeing insects so I'm thinking mould but its just does not seem wet enough to support that theory. Any thoughts ? Tnx , Dan

Dan, sounds like you might be loving your BES to death. Since they are a native prairie plant, they like pretty rough conditions and are drought tolerant. I would cut back on the watering and fertilizer for sure. Just water "as needed" if they begin to look droopy.

The Black Spots are just that...Black Spot which is a fungus. Pick off the effected foliage and destroy...don't put it in compost.