Scabious

In flower now, one of my favourite summer flowers the Field Scabious, with about 50 distinct flowers clustered in each flower head.  It is also named 'Lady's Pin-cushion' or 'Pins-and-needles' because the stamens look like pins stuck into a pin cushion.

Before they open, the flower heads are like an ornate jacket button.   You can see some on the right of the top photograph.

In the past they were allegedly used by girls to see which suitor they should marry.  Each bud would be named after one of the boys and then they were watched to see which became the finest flower.  Hence the plant's other name, 'Batchelor's Buttons'. 

Probably as good as any other method !