These old plantings are not spreading much. They are, however, difficult to eradicate. Matrimony vine should be limited to wildlife plantings in odd areas and to soil stabilization plantings where they will be left unmolested for many years. Insects or diseases are not a problem. This is a dense, spreading shrub with light silver-colored leaves and berries.
Fruit production is generally heavy.
The branches do not have the heavy thorns of Elaeagnus angustifolia , Russian olive. The roots are wide spreading. Suckers 15-20 feet away from the parent plant are common. Although this shrub has a strong suckering habit it is not aggressive enough to compete with cheatgrass and other annuals. Therefore, its use as a gully control shrub is limited.