Crossword Genius

Take zeal as a version for showy shrubs (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

azaleas

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'showy shrubs' is the definition.
'azaleas' can be an answer for 'shrubs' (azalea is a kind of shrub). I am not sure about the 'showy' bit.

'take zeal as a version' is the wordplay.
'take' becomes 'a' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a version' indicates anagramming the letters.
'zeal'+'as'='zealas'
'zealas' with letters rearranged gives 'zaleas'.
'a'+'zaleas'='AZALEAS'

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for azaleas that I've seen before include "Flowering shrubs" , "Smaller rhododendrons" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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