#1 is interesting I prefer the better isolation of this one against the softer BG. You might look for setting a leaf like this against a contrasting BG color to better show it. Have fun, plenty of these subjects to enjoy!
For me your subject is to similar to the background and not outstanding enough to work like that in the first. For the second you have tried an interesting reversal of the bright leaf on dark background. It might work with a tighter crop.
I like the first photo a lot. Yellow on yellow with pleasing tonal variations. Excellent! The leaf in the second shot gets absorbed by the background.
I'm not sure you can do anything to save this one.