Question
Dear Lynette:

I live in Montana.  In a small garden spot in front of our home, facing south, I have one rose bush that successfully wintered over and two that I recently planted to replace two plants that did not winter over.  They appear to be different varieties.  Also, before I first tried roses in this spot last summer, this area had sumac shrubs for many years.

Last year the roses bloomed alright.  This year, the first flowers looked fine.  Now, all of the flowers - and even a bloom - droop.  The stem just below the flower can not support itself and the flower or bud droops down.

Also, there are some violets in this same area.  At first, before I planted the two replacement rose plants, the violets looked strong and healthy.  Now they look sick, a number have died, and their leaves look like they have a white film or appearance to them.  

I fertilized the roses about six to eight weeks ago when I planted the new ones.  We've sprayed their leaves a few times for bugs.

I would greatly appreciate any and all information you could share with me.  Thank you so very much!

With blessings,
Judith Ellen

Answer
To ease your mind about poisonous sumacs, here is  some information for you.  As you can see they like to live in swamps!
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Poison_sumac/poissuma.htm
However when you describe a situation like yours, it is definately in the soil. Rather than guessing and trying all sorts of remedies, it would be wise to take a sample to a place where you can get it tested. That way you will know for sure what to do. Anything else will be guessing. Any deparmant of agriculture will do the testing and most times it is free. You could also ask neighbours if they have the problem. It does sound bad not because of the roses as they get in a snit over any small thing but violets are tough little plants and they are your indicators that it is serious. It could have been the sumacs as the roots do release a camphor oil type residue. It could also be nematodes but the list of speculation goes on and on. Sorry I couldn't help you more. Lynnette
http://pages.zdnet.com/lynnette/