Weeds will grow through the ground cover.
Consider covering the bare ground with newspaper and adding 2 to 4" of mulch. Leave some space at the base of the bush to apply fertilizer.

Here is a link that might be useful: Scroll to mulch

I put rocks around the bases of my roses...keeps weeds away and keeps my cats from using the ground around the rose as a litter box..

I pull any weeds out as soon as I see them...Some weeds are hard to get out. I usually will put round up CAREFULLY on the leaves of the stubborn weeds. Let them get the heat of the sun to kill the plant then clip it down and cover it with newspaper and mulch....

Newspaper and mulch works good on bermuda grass invasion too.

I use "Purple Neon Ice Plants" They cover very thick and few weeds get through. I have problem with bermuda grass getting in but easy to manage with ice plants.

Steve