shade is impossible to define ... in words

i had it in shade.. the tree it was under nearly killed it by out competing it ... but it was bright shade ... and i didnt see and color problems ...

its doing a lot better now that i killed the tree ...

ken

I find that the color varies throughout the year. I think it is more colorful with age too. Mine gets a few hours of morning sun. Here's a few shots.

{{gwi:279630}}

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{{gwi:279632}}

I love the last picture. I just took it this week.

But then it does this too. Some irregularities.

{{gwi:279633}}

I couldn't find a winter picture, but it is very bright in the winter.

Variegated hollies often unevenly colored, above photos show this. Like other variegated forms some hollies may also be a bit unstable, if anything becoming less well colored with age rather than more. There are many cultivars of various kinds of trees and shrubs on the market that lose their variegation, overall yellow color, compact or dwarf growth etc. with age. Recently propagated ("young") clones return to the cultivar characteristics, masking the problem as long as larger, older ("specimen") stock that shows what may be coming is not presented to the consumer.

One other thing to note about 'Honey Maid' to other Z5'ers is that it is very hardy. I have had difficulties with other allegedly zone-5 hollies, but this one has never shown any winter damage. It faces northeast too (although the general larger area is not extremely exposed).

I happened to see some 5 gallon 'Honey Maid' in person right after posting the above, looked like a form that could be apt to revert in time.