Poles pay out for a flower (5)
I believe the answer is:
pansy
'flower' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'poles pay out' is the wordplay.
'poles' becomes 'NS' (north and south poles).
'out' indicates putting letters inside.
'ns' put within 'pay' is 'PANSY'.
'for a' is the link.
(Other definitions for pansy that I've seen before include "Bedding plant" , "Species of violet" , "Rich-coloured flower with summer and winter varieties" , "Heart's ease" , "Cultivated viola" .)