These are Gayfeather (Liatris) buds. Each bulb develops a spike in June and by Mid to Late July each year the tiny flowers on each spike begin to bloom. They have a soft feather look from a distance and look lovely in large round clumps.
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Pamela The Dust says
a few years ago I learned NOT to dead head my liatrus.
the goldfinch are crazy about the seeds. It’s fun to see them landing en mass on the dead flowers.