Don’t prune the rhodie; it needs to get established. As for the black-eyed Susans, they are perennials and should be cut back to the ground when they die off for the season (typically late fall). Ultimately, the shrub will outsize the perennials and you will have a nice underplanting. The fertilizing season is winding down so don’t worry about that until spring. Look for slow-release granular fertilizers formulated for rhododendrons.
Hi Bob,
Don’t prune the rhodie; it needs to get established. As for the black-eyed Susans, they are perennials and should be cut back to the ground when they die off for the season (typically late fall). Ultimately, the shrub will outsize the perennials and you will have a nice underplanting. The fertilizing season is winding down so don’t worry about that until spring. Look for slow-release granular fertilizers formulated for rhododendrons.