I really am liking everything about the photo. If I were to make a suggestion, perhaps a little different crop so the leaf is not dead center. And NO, you don't always have to follow the rules. It's what YOU like, not everyone else. Our comments are suggestions and purely subjective.
I love it, ok a little central, but it works.
Nice bokeh behind too, great colours and sharpness,a very slight loss of detail in the right side of the leaf, may burn in I don't know? but a good shot.
Well done,
Paul.
personally, I think it's a little too centered for my liking ... the colors are good and the DOF is great ... would like to see the contrast boosted slightly also ...