Coneflowers: What is killing my coneflowers?, 1 by kellydz

kellydz wrote:
Just noticed this a few days ago. Before that they were beautiful. Now they look like they have dried mud on the cones. I know it isn't mud but couldn't find any info from google that matched what I am seeing. Petals and other foliage looked ok at first but are shriveling now too. And new buds are getting it as soon as they open enough to expose the cone. I already cut them all for fear it will spread to other plants but do I need to dig them out completely? Beginning gardener so any help would be appreciated.