I love black eyed susans too (Rudbeckia). I tend to grow them as short-lived perennials that last a year, two or three. Mine bloom like crazy in late spring and early summer and then I cut them back pretty hard in mid-summer. Most of them survive summer (although they're not super pretty while doing it) and then they perk up again in autumn. I also make sure to let a few seeds ripen in summer and scatter them around the garden or in pots too. The seed sprouts in autumn and becomes nice plants that usually bloom the following spring. Nice big plants that have made it through their first winter tend to be my best bloomers. By their second or third spring they get a bit tired.

I do like them though, and have very good luck with them. Now coneflower (Echinacea) is another (unsuccessful, LOL) story.

Happy gardening!
Grant