The contrast is good in a great idea in this picture. But I feel that a softer flash and a little wider aperture would have given you the contrast and a little more light for the background. The stalk is slightly overexposed due to the harshness of the flash. (i'm just guessing you used a flash anyway :)
Composition wise, I think a more off centered frame would have provided more interst and brought the background and subject together a little more. (rule of thirds)
