“Lost already?” I imagine that’s what the bamboo stalks of the Bambuslabyrinth are thinking. The Bambuslabyrinth offers a unique experience. It blends the allure of a maze with the natural beauty of bamboo.
Till, one of the two Bambusmänner, started it all. In 2006, he built his house and had a beautiful lawn. His landscaper gifted him three bamboo plants. This marked the beginning of bamboo on his property.
Till knew little about the plant. He spoke with a friend who referred him to his brother, Dark. Dark had been experimenting with bamboo since 1990. The first hedge was planted next to his shed. It grew and grew. This type only reached about 5 meters.
Till disliked the lawn more and more. A weed-free lawn proved very labor-intensive. In the front area, he installed a rhizome barrier. He planted seven more bamboo varieties. These could grow up to 12 meters tall.
Now, over 70 bamboo varieties grow on his land. The Bambuslabyrinth started on the front area in 2011. It used to be lawn. The back part of the property has also changed a lot.
Till was inspired by the botanical garden in Hamburg. It also features paths through bamboo. He uses bamboo as a fast-growing screen for the paths. This is similar to the largest labyrinth in the world by Franco Maria Ricci in Parma. Bamboo grows in height once a year. This allows Till to adjust the paths in the Bambuslabyrinth.
The Bambuslabyrinth is more than just a maze. Labyrinths have been around for thousands of years. People often confuse labyrinths and mazes. In both, the goal isn’t immediately reachable. Labyrinths have a fixed path. Mazes have paths that vary. Labyrinths mirror life. They represent the hope of finding a solution. They symbolize life’s turning points that change our direction.
The Bambuslabyrinth covers 800 square meters. The path is about 400 meters long. It includes many turns. The tasks in the Bambuslabyrinth include finding the exit. There is also a quiz about bamboo. You can build and take away an insect hotel with bamboo. QR codes are hidden at different stations in the Bambuslabyrinth. You need a phone with a camera to scan them. The codes reveal questions at each station.
Till hopes to inspire others with bamboo. The Bambuslabyrinth is located on his private property. It is free to enter. Donations can be made to the youth center in Tostedt. You can also support the project through Patreon.
Till waters the bamboo daily. Bamboo likes it moist and warm. Wear sturdy and waterproof shoes. A covered terrace at the Bambuslabyrinth has seating and a big table.
Remember that the Bambuslabyrinth symbolizes life. It represents problems and difficult paths. It shows the belief and hope to find a way out.