Elaeagnus pungens maculata

I find myself strangely drawn to this plant; I’m not sure whether it’s the gold centered leathery leaves or the drifting gardenia fragrance, whatever I like it. Dirr on the other hand classes it something of an overdone weed, over planted in the south and climbing by means of hooked spines to 30’; It’s nothing like that in the north, very well behaved and nearly spineless.