One thing I wish you'd mentioned is winterkill. Not something you personally have to deal with, but pruning winterkill is a necessity. I've left roses with winterkill alone (not pruned the dead off as I didn't know it was dead), and had a VERY late start to blooms on those plants, if any at all. Winterkill is easily spotted.. the canes will be green up to a point, then they turn a purplish black. I can show pictures of winterkill if you need/want...
