A Kent & Stowe Capability Trowel is a staple tool for so many gardeners, but did you know the inspiration behind its name? This tool was named after Lancelot Brown, a gardener from the 18th century who believed that there was the capability for everything in gardening to be improved, a philosophy we applied to the common trowel when designing the Capability Trowel!
Who Was Capability Brown?
Capability Brown, born Lancelot Brown in 1716, was no ordinary gardener; he was a maestro of landscapes, an artist who painted with plants. His moniker, “Capability,” arose from his habit of surveying a property and remarking on its “capabilities” for improvement. Brown transformed the English countryside during the 18th century, leaving an indelible mark on the very fabric of horticulture.
In 1739, Brown got a job at Stowe Gardens, working under Lord Cobham. Over the years, he rose up the ranks to become Head Gardener. At Stowe, Capability Brown worked on the gardens as well as overseeing the removal and construction of multiple garden buildings and parklands. The Grecian valley is known as his greatest creation, which required digging out 24,000 cubic metres of soil to create a beautiful realisation of an Arcadian vision of Ancient Greece.
What Gardens Did Capability Brown Work On?
Over the course of his career, Capability Brown worked on over 170 landscapes! From sprawling estates, majestic mansions, and acres of untouched beauty. he crafted masterpieces that seamlessly blended the natural with the man-made. Iconic sites like Blenheim Palace, Chatsworth House, and Stowe House bear witness to his genius, showcasing the enduring allure of Brown’s designs.
How to Spot His Gardening Style
Now, you may find yourself strolling through a garden, wondering, “Is this Capability Brown’s?” There are a few distinctive touches that Capability Brown put into his gardens, so keep an eye out for these features…
- Effortless Flow of Water: Keep an eye out for serpentine lakes that wind their way through the landscape like liquid ribbons. Capability Brown had a penchant for reshaping terrain to create these sinuous water features, adding a touch of elegance and tranquility to his designs.
- Gently Rolling Hills: Brown had a knack for smoothing out the rough edges of the natural landscape. If you find yourself ambling up and down gentle, rolling hills with strategically placed clumps of trees, you might just be in the midst of his pastoral paradise.
- Tree Clusters and Open Vistas: Imagine standing in the midst of a verdant glade, surrounded by perfectly placed trees that frame a breathtaking view. Capability Brown was a master at creating vistas, using clusters of trees strategically to open up panoramic scenes that showcased the beauty of the surrounding countryside.
- Naturalistic Planting: Forget the rigid formality of parterres and geometric patterns; Capability Brown championed a more naturalistic approach. Look for sweeping lawns dotted with carefully placed groups of trees and shrubs, creating a harmonious blend of the wild and the cultivated.
How did we use Capability Brown’s ideas to inspire our tools?
The Kent & Stowe Capability Trowel was born from the idea that everything in gardening has the capability to be improved. So taking a standard trowel that can be found in every gardener’s shed, we started to make improvements.
We added functionality to the handle, with a metal hammer for hammering canes and posts. A serrated edge was included on the trowel to help open compost bags and cut through roots and a pointed tip helps dig through tough soils.
