It could be caused by Hemerocallis Gall Midge, which causes some early flowers to be deformed. Affected buds are round instead of elongated. Flowers are only affected early in the season, later flowers are unaffected.
fidgetbonesDerbyshire but with a Nottinghamshire postcode. Posts: 16,472
If you open up a bud and there is a small maggot inside, pick off any like this and burn or put in bin. Do not compost as the maggots pupate, hatch and you perpetuate the problem.
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