Try adding compost/manure tea or alfalfa pellets to help bulk them up. Sorry that yours aren't looking good. Mine are full of buds with 'Miss Bateman' opening up this week. I added alfalfa pellets last summer (though don't know if there is a cause/effect or if it is just coincidence and maturity).

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If you might have voles, check for vole tunnels around the base of the plant by gently pushing on the soil with your hands to fill them in. Then water well. Often when I have a plant that is weak in spring, it's due to roots being eaten by voles and the tunnels allowing air to dry out remaining roots.

Pruning stimulates new growth. Alfalfa pellets do help too.