In private I’m a flower (8)
I believe the answer is:
gardenia
'flower' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Fragrant flower ' mean 'gardenia' so perhaps 'flower' could also mean 'gardenia')
'in private i'm a' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'private' becomes 'gi' (GI can informally mean a US soldier).
'i'm' becomes 'arden' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'gi' going around 'arden' is 'gardeni'.
'gardeni'+'a'='GARDENIA'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gardenia that I've seen before include "Shrub; drainage (anag.)" , "Shrub such as the Cape jasmine" , "Drainage for shrub with white or yellow flowers" , "bloomer!" , "Bad drainage produces a fragrant flower" .)