Root for saving fine, upstanding gentleman (5)
I believe the answer is:
orris
'root' is the definition.
(preparation of iris rootstock)
'for saving fine upstanding gentleman' is the wordplay.
'saving' suggests deleting specific letters (saving can mean except).
'fine' becomes 'f' (abbreviation).
'upstanding' is a reversal indicator.
'gentleman' becomes 'sir' (I've seen this before).
'for' with 'f' taken out is 'or'.
'sir' back-to-front is 'ris'.
'or'+'ris'='ORRIS'
(Other definitions for orris that I've seen before include "Iris with fragrant rhizome" , "Old lace, made of gold or silver" , "Iris root in perfumery" , "Flag" , "Any of various kinds of iris" .)