The bunnies ate mine this year. See my post below on rabbits! Could that be what's happened to yours?

I'm 99.9% positive it's not rabbits. Any other ideas?

Some varieties of black eyed susan are very short lived, lasting only one or two years. No new growth at this point indicates that they are dead and need to be replaced.

Some varieties of black eyed susan are very short lived, lasting only one or two years. No new growth at this point indicates that they are dead and need to be replaced.

I was fearing this. Yet they were bought from a reputable green house. Just doesn't seem right. Anyone think even though we Are going on year 3 they would be sympathetic

I have two patches of rudbeckia 'Goldsturm' that are eight years old. The patch in the front of the house is fine. The patch in the back is gone. A theory of mine is that the front received more water and late afternoon shade during the drought last year. The patch in the back was drier and blasted by sun all day. That patch did look bad last fall. Though they're drought tolerant, I think the lack of water maybe did them in, though the echinacea next to them are coming up fine. It is kind of weird, I must say.

Ditto the short-lived comment. They do re-seed a bit to make up for it in my yard.