The conventional, and painfully artificial, separation of the human realm from the natural other is bound to perish, albeit over a period of time, until we are obliged to learn how to cultivate our gardens under the most demanding conditions. John Burnside albeitartificialbind share on social
The Botanischer Garten in Berlin has one of Europe's finer winter trails, leading in careful order from glasshouses devoted to African-American and Australian desert species, through a fine collection of tropical plants, and on to the orchid house. John Burnside africanamericanaustralian share on social
As attractive as it is, the idea that nature can exist beyond our dangerous 'instinct for happiness' is never the whole story. John Burnside attractivedangerousexist Change image and share on social
My second, third and fourth novels were mistakes, essentially. John Burnside essentiallyfourthmistake Change image and share on social
A modern arboretum brings us that ancient forest and, with it, a changed apprehension of time, a renewed appreciation of the elegance of natural form and a renewed sense of wonder at the variety of the world we inhabit. John Burnside ancientappreciationapprehension share on social
Anyone who has ever stopped to watch a hawk in flight will know that this is one of the natural world's most elegant phenomena. John Burnside elegantflighthawk Change image and share on social
High Alpine meadows, like their near relatives prairie, desert and certain varieties of wetland, teach us to consider the world from a fresh perspective, to open our eyes and take account of what we have missed, reminding us that, in spite of our emphasis on the visual in everyday speech, we see so very little of the world. John Burnside accountalpinedesert share on social
Hunted for sport by the rich, then driven from large tracts of its natural habitat by agricultural and housing development, the giant panda deserves better than to be scrubbed from conservation's ledger books through false accounting. John Burnside accountagriculturalbook share on social
It's important to have quiet time and isolation. John Burnside importantisolationquiet Change image and share on social