Rudbeckia triloba is a perennial so it should persist for several year at least, unlike Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed susan) which can be annual, biennial, or perennial depending on the genotype.

Rudbeckia triloba actually is a biennial. It can overwinter with proper protection (IE snow) and optimum conditions, but usually does not. There are selections that last longer than others, but usually I don't get any to last more than the 2nd or 3rd year with good conditions.
Nick

I agree that R. triloba is a biennial. I have never seen the wild plants in this area (eastern Missouri) survive into a third growing season. First-year plants do not flower, passing the full first growing season and overwintering as low-growing rosettes. In the second growing season, they grow into the bush-like flowering form, then die with autumn frosts. This life cycle pattern gives the appearance of the plant being present one year and absent the next in places where the entire population is synchronized.

Maybe I have both. I have several varieties growing all together. I even had the native weed until they got to selfish and refused to grow straight up.

The ones that have taken over last year are HUGE. The flowers are as big around as my hand.

Thanks for the info. You told me what I wanted to know.

I don't think it can be brown-eyed susan if the flowers are as big as your hand. Flowers of these species are smaller than those of most Rudbeckias, about 2 inches across. The annual black-eyed susan (R. hirta), which also tends to re-seed abundantly, has larger blooms, as to many of the perennial Rudbeckias.

Here is a link that might be useful: brown-eyed susan

i think u have 'sweet' black eyed suzy. this is one of the spp that they horti into large flowers and some colors other than deep yellow.

froggy

Here is a link that might be useful: sweet coneflower

With flower heads that large, I'd venture to say they're one of the cultivar or hybrid Rudbeckias. I have yet to see R. triloba with blooms over 2 inches across, and even that is big for the species. R. subtomentosa (sweet coneflower) has blooms about twice as large, but usually only the cultivars have 5-6 inch ones.