Black Eyed Susans "Migrating"

by Bob
(Manasquan, NJ)

Over the last few years I have noticed that my beautiful black eyed susans seem to be migrating away from the area that they were originally planted in and in that area only a few shoots come up. Is it possible that the soil is "worn" out in that original spot? I am using some generic terms here but it seems that the plant would much rather grow in a new area further from the original spot. I only very lightly fertilize and very very seldom put anything else on the flowers.
Should I just dig them up recondition the patch and then replant?
Thanks
Bob

Doug says they'll migrate to where they're happiest for sure - many plants that spread will do this. I'd let them wander to wherever they're happier and replant that area to something else. But then again, I'm not compulsive about the design - I'd rather have happy plants. :-)

And yeah - dig, compost that patch and see what else grows there.