Those glands on the leaf bases are normal, and yes ants do feed from them. Not to
worry.

The branch tips have some insect pest inside. Your third photo shows little black
pellets in the exudate. Those pellets are frass (fancy term for insect shit).
Cut off every tip that shows signs of trouble, back to just above the nearest leaf
or bud, and seal the tips in a bag or container and send it off to the landfill.

As this is the exact variety you wanted, I would keep it. Let this be a lesson to
you not to buy plants from big box stores.

Una