Hi. As you'll see from the photos, I've built an enclosed garden about 20' long, 4' wide and 3' deep. In it I planted two Prunus royal burgundy two years ago. they are now about 10' tall. Last year, they made a wonderful spring display followed by lush foliage. This year all but the bottom leaves have failed to grow and most of the flower buds are not developing into flowers. Perhaps this has all been delayed rather than aborted, but I worry that the trees are suffering in some way. I did not feed them last year. Also, we have had several weeks of dry weather here in South Wales and it's only now that I am watering them. But also, I topped up the soil last summer by about three to five inches. i scraped it away from the trunk of each tree to form a bowl, but perhaps it's part of the problem.Should I scrape more away? Keep watering? Feed the roots? Replace the trees with smaller ones? Just wait and see? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

Hi there,

Assuming these trees are planted in their proper zone, and receive their pre-requisite amount of direct sun, it could just be their 'off year'. Many varieties of trees flower heavily, and then lightly the following year in a cycle. It could be the plants natural cycle.

Could it also possible the buds were nipped by a late frost? That can sometimes prevent flowering.

If the plants are sited correctly, and in the right kind of soil (otherwise appear healthy), I would not be concerned unless they repeat this situation again next year.

Jennifer

"But also, I topped up the soil last summer by about three to five inches. i scraped it away from the trunk of each tree to form a bowl.."

Have you scraped away enough that the root flare is visible? Maybe you could post a picture of the trunk bases.