Question
we have huge lady banks roses that have gotten too big for the fence will it ruin them to trim them back drastically now that it is summer!!!

Answer
If you want to prune for flowers, you leave the last years growth. Usually the difference between the newer and older canes is the colour.  With the banksias the new growth should be a brighter lime green. The general rule for once blooming shrubs is to prune right after they have finished flowering and will be setting next years flower buds. That way it makes it easier to see what you are doing. However if you want to prune it a long way back, I suggest down to about 6 feet  because although you will not see as many flowers, if any, it is one way to keep it under control if it has got away on you. Cut out the thickest canes as they are the old ones. Then from now on, if you want it  at a certain size, then this rose must be pruned again after flowering during the summer when all the flowers are dead and the new growth is starting, such as during the summer when it makes those fishing rod type canes, simply cut them back. This way the vigour of the rose is at it's best. Laying the canes along the fence will give you many more blooms.