Crossword Genius

Reliable English clergyman suspected of murder, somewhat taken aback (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

evergreen

'reliable' is the definition.
(evergreen can mean reliable or constant)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for evergreen that I've seen before include "Timeless" , "Ivy, perhaps" , "Pine, for example" , "Always popular" , "Leaves of holly and ivy are --" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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