Holly, perhaps, always caring for the environment (9)
I believe the answer is:
evergreen
'holly perhaps' is the definition.
'always caring for the environment' is the wordplay.
'always' becomes 'ever' (synonyms).
'caring for the environment' becomes 'green'.
'ever'+'green'='EVERGREEN'
(Other definitions for evergreen that I've seen before include "Having year-round foliage" , "Leaves of holly and ivy are --" , "Star anise, say" , "Source of wood" , "Timeless" .)