No words after failing first of papers, a bloomer (8)
I believe the answer is:
snowdrop
'a bloomer' is the definition.
(snowdrop is a kind of flowering plant)
'no words after failing first of papers' is the wordplay.
'after failing' indicates anagramming the letters.
'first of papers' becomes 'p' (1st letter of 'papers').
'no'+'words'='nowords'
'nowords' with letters rearranged gives 'snowdro'.
'snowdro'+'p'='SNOWDROP'
(Other definitions for snowdrop that I've seen before include "Rows pond (anag)" , "Small white flower of early spring" , "Winter bloomer" , "Early bloomer" , "Plant with drooping white flowers" .)