Crossword Genius

Four years establishing climbing plant (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ivy

'climbing plant' is the definition.
(ivy is a type of climbing plant)

'four years' is the wordplay.
'four' becomes 'IV' (Roman numerals).
'years' becomes 'y' (abbreviation).
'iv'+'y'='IVY'

'establishing' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for ivy that I've seen before include "Four-year" , "Poisonous plant" , "woman" , "Vine with evergreen leaves" , "Bush" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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