You have to make a slit in the fabric, or how else will you get the roots into the soil.

Thanks for your prompt reply; my husband insists on putting the weed protector down and that's what he said but I didn't want the protector.

If you are planting them in Gravel,the weed suppressant is the best idea..but if it's a traditional rockery,I wouldn't bother..

Weed suppresent fabric and a rockery is not really a good mix in my view.