I agree with the comments above. My skills as a flower photographer are highly suspect; so I've received my share of critiques on the few flower shots I've submitted. My Caedes friends have told me that the flower itself must be in perfect focus but that the background should be very dark and blurred so that the flower "pops". While everything seems to be in focus, the flower focus is not sharp enough to be nearly perfect. The flash doesn't help. Perhaps a longer exposure without the flash might have worked, but the white background is accentuated by the flash. I was told by one chap that I shouldn't comment upon things of which I have no knowledge; so I've already said too much.
I agree about the shadow and lighting. Roger's suggestions about use of the flash and shutter speed seem to gel with me. Nice effort though, and thanks for sharing.