Crossword Genius

Desire opening of poppies, primroses or pansies in garden (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hope

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'desire opening of poppies primroses' is the definition.
'hope' can be an answer for 'desire' (synonyms). I am not certain of the 'opening of poppies primroses' bit.

'pansies in garden' is the wordplay.
'pansies' becomes 'p' (this might be a standard abbreviation of which I'm unaware).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'garden' becomes 'hoe' (to garden could mean to hoe).
'p' put within 'hoe' is 'HOPE'.

'or' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hope that I've seen before include "Expect and wish" , "Aspiration" , "Confident expectation" , "The last thing in Pandora's Box" , "Cross your fingers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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