Abstract:Fa-ti played a pivotal role in the cultural exchange, trade, and botany between the East and the West during the late Qing Dynasty in Canton. As a center for cultivating and producing ornamental plants in Guangzhou throughout the thirteen-hong trade period, Fa-ti was one of the select locations the Qing government allowed Westerners to visit. It also served as a principal source of Chinese plant specimens for Western botanists. This study thoroughly examines historical texts and maps to analyze and corroborate the historical spatial configuration of Fa-ti's river channels. It aims to reconstruct the garden layouts of the late Qing Dynasty and elucidate the development of productive landscapes in Fa-ti, such as the cultivation and marketing of flowers and trees, alongside the trends toward garden privatization and publicization. The research reveals that the thriving Sino-Western trade and horticultural activities fostered a distinctive and productive landscape in Fa-ti, with the river serving as the geographical foundation and flower polders acting as exhibition and sales venues. Numerous nursery gardens emerged in Fa-ti during this period, creating a dynamic space where Chinese and Westerners' frequent interactions advanced the privatization and publicization of gardens. Consequently, these gardens transformed into significant venues for public events, cultural engagement, and intellectual endeavours.
