What does the cryptic crossword clue "Climbing weed – at first, it was high up to the hips (5-4)" mean?

The wordplay uses an anagram. anagram of IT (synonym="IT") + WAS (synonym="WAS") + PEED (synonym="weed") = WAISTDEEP The answer is WAISTDEEP.

Climbing weed – at first, it was high up to the hips (5-4)

Guardian Cryptic #29331 | 5 Down | 2024-03-15 flower