Split up before crossing river for formal flower garden (8)
I believe the answer is:
parterre
'flower garden' is the definition.
(I know that parterre is a type of flower garden)
'split up before crossing river' is the wordplay.
'split up' becomes 'part' (part can mean to split or separate).
'before' becomes 'ere' (poetic term for 'before').
'crossing' indicates putting letters inside (to cross can mean to go over or around).
'river' becomes 'r' (abbreviation for river).
'ere' placed around 'r' is 'erre'.
'part'+'erre'='PARTERRE'
'for formal' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for parterre that I've seen before include "level ground" , "flower-beds" , "Seating on the ground floor of US theatre?" , "Seating on the main floor of a theatre" , "Garden area surrounded by ornamental beds" .)