Advice on pruning tall neglected roses

[MagNacarta]

I have a very established front garden with about6/7 roses, some of them are very tall ie. more than me. The roses are lovely, but I'm sure I ought to be pruning them. I've looked online and understand what to do, but am concerned that if I prune them right back to knee height I'll kill them. There are no buds this low down, but plenty of buds higher up. What should I do oh wise ones?

[ShyTalk]

What sort of roses are they? ie are they bush roses, or are they climbers/ramblers?
If they are just overgrown bush roses, pruning them down to knee height won't kill them. When you look at the higher-up buds, you will see a sort of semi-circular-ish scar underneath the bud. When you see these scars lower down the stem, a bud has the potential to develop above the scar, if the bush is pruned to just above the scar. Just remember, cut out all the dead stuff as well as any crossing/rubbing together branches; also, the more you cut a branch back, the thicker and more vigorous it will grow.
If the roses are very overgrown/neglected, then it is best to tackle each bush in thirds - prune one third properly - lower than knee height - about 12inches (30cm), prune the second third lightly, (only cut back about half the growth) and the last third, prune minimally - cut by about a third.
Next year, prune the first and second thirds as this year, and the final third as the second third last year.
The year after, prune the whole bush as the first and second thirds the previous year. After that, just prune hard every year.
The knee height thing is autumn pruning - you cut them back to prevent wind rock during the winter. Prune them back hard in Spring.
Hope this helps.
PS - if they are ramblers or climbers, I can't help - I know sweet FA about them.

[MagNacarta]

Wow, thank you so much ShyTalk - I went for it this afternoon and did pretty much what you've said, so feel rather pleased with myself.

All bush roses and some are obviously very old and when they flower rather lovely. A few neighbours commented when they saw me in the garden and I got the impression they were pleased to see me attacking them.

Thanks for the advice.

[ShyTalk]

Your pruning will make them flower more, and they will be even more lovely - enjoy!

[Wizzska]

What Shytalk says plus prune bus roses to just above an outward facing bud. You want to make an open cup shape so that the plant does not get congested and there will be airflow through the plant. This helps prevent pest and disease build up.

See here