@ShadyGreenThumb Cheryl, have you had the tree long? It looks kind of young. The first tree/shrub here that I purchased from a true nursery was an Althea. It was also the first time that I put a tree in the ground during fall. Because of Texas heat and lack of ground freezing, fall should be our planting time. Tell that to all the nursery's it is hard to find a plant in the fall. I have planted lots of trees and Althea's. This one for two years bloomed in the fall to winter. It was off cycle. Then it straightened out. What caused it? Fall planting, weather, maybe when or where they started the tree. I will hope that your tulip tree will straighten out ,too! May you be blessed with a spectacular week!