Photinia (Red Robin) Trees

I have two Photinia Trees in my garden which have been there for at least 5 years, they have always done very well with plenty of growth but however this year they are looking very sparse with very little growth, they were pruned last Autumn. I would be grateful for any advice as to what may be the problem.

I was interested to read your question as mine are also more sparse than usual, though the leaves that are present are a very good colour.  I'm inclined to blame wet and dry in the wrong seasons, plus dark and cold since April.  i imagine they will recover, mine are abut the same age as yours so, with you, I shall await with interest to see if any experts know of any other reasons why this has happened. 

I gave mine a good chop in May as it was getting too talland wide for the spot it was in. I have plenty of growth on it and it looks great. I was a bit concerned at the time I chopped it incase I chopped too much, especially off the top, but all looks well thank goodness. Mine is about 4 years old. Hopefully yours will both start filling out when the weather picks up. (Next week is supposed to be much better, here's hoping )

Thanks for the advice, I am pretty sure that it must be to do with the very difficult weather that we have experienced this year. I await with anticipation for the summer !!to arrive and hopefully my Photinias will flourish.

I think the timing of pruning is important. I think you need to prune when growth is about to start because die back is a problem. I think the secret is to prune when they are young and fairly small but you can prune back brutally and they recover. Photinias have a nasty habit of looking so,good and then, suddenly it seems, look tatty, dropping their leaves. I have a new variety with green n white leaves and it looks sensational with red new growth and a new dwarf variety....both have been pruned whilst young.