Like producing flowers soon for a friend? (5)

I believe the answer is:

buddy

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'friend?' is the definition.
(buddy is a kind of friend)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for buddy that I've seen before include "Best friend" , "Friend, pal" , "Friend (mainly US)" , "An American pal" , "Close friend (US)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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