Rudbeckia laciniata I believe.

Thanks, It is a flower then? - any non-woody plants taller than 4 feet screaming weeds to me :)

Could be much loved heirloom Rudbeckia laciniata 'Hortensia' https://www.google.ca/search?q=Rudbeckia+laciniata+hortensia&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjWxJ_o_OziAhX3CTQIHRlXCxEQ_AUIECgB&biw=1522&bih=672

Have not seen any buds. I will update back when they flower.

Please do :-)

They are flowering. The plants are taller than 6feet now.

Is that the same plant? The leaves in the pic directly above look much different than the leaves in your original pics.

I believe they are as there are no other tall plants in that area. But I will double check the leaves tomorrow

That is odd. The flower resembles dahlias.

It looks like Rudbeckia laciniata ' Hortensia' as Windberry stated above. Leaf shape near the flowers is different than basal foliage.

http://www.perennials.com/plants/rudbeckia-laciniata-hortensia.html

Definitely Rudbeckia laciniata 'Hortensia'

Just beware, it can become quite a thug. I had to get rid of it ALL!

I just love it. And it is as far from being a thug in my garden as can be. Probably the growing conditions (soil, climate) are much more to it's liking in your garden Steve.

Windberry. Do you know the reason why they used to plant this by outhouses?

It may like a lot of fertilizer.

Thank you all. Sorry, could not get back to this post earlier. Here are the pictures. And I believe it is Rudbeckia laciniata ' Hortensia'. In the 3rd picture, the flower is a little different although the leaves are the same. Also thanks for the 'thug' warning - I can see it going to take over that area already... probably will move it to somewhere else next spring.

I think mine topped out at 7 or 8 feet. Maybe they planted then by outhouses so they could see the flowers through the screen? The roots of this plant can be used medicinally just like Echinacea. The deer devoured my 3 plants. Maybe they were trying to shrug off a cold?

Deer that visit my prop (they jump through the smooth wire 8 feet tall fence) do not touch it.

As for the different flower, it is also R. laciniata, although a different cultivar.

Goldfinches enjoy the seeds in fall.