Question
My Black Eyed Susans have buds on them and the flowers are just opening up. However, the leaves at the bottom of the plant are drying up and turning blackish brown. What could be causing this to happen?

Answer
Hello Anita

As you haven't said that you've seen any pests on the leaves and this particular plant is usually disease free, I'm thinking that this may simply be a drought problem.  Have you had a spell of hot weather?

Try watering your plants with a half strength liquid general fertilizer to give them a bit of extra help, as all their energy now is being put into producing flowers, it might help and it certainly can't hurt.

Gill