Hello. I have three serviceberries planted in a location that gets full sun after 1 p.m. currently. The amount of sun will increase as the summer progresses. They are approximately 5 to 6 years old. I had the best blooms ever last spring. A huge number and I thought “Ah, finally, they are maturing and we can enjoy lovely blooms from now on”. How naive I was because this spring was very disappointing. Nothing has changed for these shrubs (in terms of what I have done) other than spreading pine bark mulch around the bed last spring to control weeds. I do not fertilize them and they are in a raised bed, so no fertilizer “accidentally” leached into their bed. Is it simply a matter of a very cold and wet spring this year? I question that because I have seen other Serviceberries in my neighbourhood that had plenty of blooms. Thank you for your help.
You may have answered your question with the observation that we have had a cool, wet spring. Although other trees may have fuller bloom than your 3 serviceberry trees, the site, exposure and growing conditions may be different.
To respond to your report on treatment last year, I would suggest that you consider how deeply you spread the bark mulch, and whether you allowed any to touch the bases of the trees. Natural nutrition treatment would also be helpful. The maturity of the trees suggests they established the root systems well, and then rewarded you with cheerful blooms last year. Maybe they now need supplemental feeding.
Consider the application of well composted manure or compost as a mulch around your trees. The mulch should be spread a couple of inches away from the trunk, applying it to a depth of three or four inches. Application of the mulch will not only provide nutrients to the trees roots but will help the soil retain moisture and insulate the roots from fluctuating temperatures.
For more information, use Toronto Master Gardeners own site
https://www.torontomastergardeners.ca/askagardener/serviceberry-help/
Please feel free to email us a photo if you have additional lp/concerns about your serviceberry.