It is mentioned in Hari Bhakti Vilasa (7.48), that a devotee of a bhakta is one who offers flowers beautiful, fragrant flowers to Lord Hrsikesa with love and devotion.
puspani tu sugandhlni
manojnani tu yah puman
prayacchati hrsikese
sa bhagavata manavah
Let us study and understand which flowers are mentioned in the shastras to offer to the Supreme Lord.
Here is a reference from Vamana Purana about flowers to be offered to Lord Visnu.
जाती जाती शताह्वा सुमनाः कुन्दं बहुपुटं तथा ।
बाणश्च चम्पकाशोकं करवीरं च यूथिका ॥१२॥
पारिभद्रं पाटला च बकुलं गिरिशालिनी ।
तिलकं च जपाकुसुमं पीतकं नागरं त्वपि ॥१३॥
एतानि हि प्रशस्तानि कुसुमान्यच्युतार्चने ।
सुरभीणि तथाऽन्यानि वर्जयित्वा तु केतकीम् ॥१४॥
Jaatii Shataahvaa Sumanaah Kundam Bahuputtam Tathaa |
Baannashca Campakaashokam Karaviiram Ca Yuuthikaa ||12||
Paaribhadram Paattalaa Ca Bakulam Girishaalinii |
Tilakam Ca Japaakusumam Piitakam Naagaram Tvapi ||13||
Etaani Hi Prashastaani Kusumaanyacyutaarcane |
Surabhiinni Tathaanyaani Varjayitvaa Tu Ketakiim ||14||
1: Jati, Shatahva, Sumana, Kunda, Bahuputa as well as
2: Bana, Champaka, Ashoka, Karavira and Yuthika,
3: Paribhadra, Patala, Bakula and Girishalini,
4: Tilaka, Japa, Pitaka and Nagara,
5: Apart from these, other flowers can be used for worship of Acyuta which are …
6: … fragrant, but Ketaki flower should be discarded. Ketakai, here refers to wild ketaki or known as “dhuli pushpika’ that grows within pine like shrub. Botanical name is Pandanus odorifer belonging to Pandonus family.
In Hari Bhakti Kalpa Latika 8.28, it is mentioned:
tulasi-malati-jati-karavirambujottaram
puspam sugandhi visadam candanardram nivedayet
Then one should offer the Lord fragrant flowers such as malati, jati, karavira, and lotus as well as tulasi leaves and other tender flower buds dipped in sandalwood paste.
One more type of flower is mentioned called :Shubhasukla” with the following definition:
madhyen’yavarno yasya
syat suklasya kusumasya ca
subhasuklantu vijneyam
manojnam kesavapriyam
The flowers called subhasukla refer to those that are normally white but have a color in the middle. These are very beautiful and they are dear to Lord Kesava.
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Bakula (Mimusops elengi, Indian Medaller) |  |
Ashoka (Saraca asoca, Ashok) |  |
Tulasi (Ocimum tenuiflorum, Holy Basil) |
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Paatali (Stereospermum suaveolens, Trumpet Flower) |  |
Champaka (Magnolia champaca, Champa) |  |
Padma (Nelumbo nucifera, Lotus) |
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Yuthika (Jasminum auriculatum, Needle Flower Jasmine, Juhi) |  |
Kunda (Jasminum multiflorum, Star Jasmine) |
In Hari Bhakti Vilas, 7.21, it is mentioned as follows:
malati tulasi padmam
ketakl manipuspakam
kadamba kusumam laksmih
kaustubham kesavapriyam
Malati, tulasi, padma, ketaki, mani and kadamba flowers are as dear to Lord Kesava as Laksmi, or the Kaustubha gem.
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Malati (Aganosma heynei), Synonyms: Aganosma dichotoma, Aganosma caryophyllata, Echites dichotomus |  |
Manipushpa / Jati pushpa (Jasminum sambac) |
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Kadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba ) |
