France reduces growth expected next spring (7)

I believe the answer is:

flowers

'growth expected next spring' is the definition.
(flowers grow in spring)

'france reduces' is the wordplay.
'france' becomes 'f'.
'reduces' becomes 'lowers' (I've seen this in another clue).
'f'+'lowers'='FLOWERS'

(Other definitions for flowers that I've seen before include "Blossoms" , "Blooms" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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