1. Washed out and overexposed. If you use flash, you have to adjust your exposure accordingly. Did you try taking the photo without flash, and a slightly slower shutter speed? The plant is not moving so you don't need to stop the action.
2. I like the feel of this one but the somewhat missed focus kind of kills it - the berries should be in focus instead of the branch. The depth of field is too wide for the lens to properly focus because the subject is too close to the camera.
Just my two cents, your mileage may vary...
@Georgie: It looks like Chickweed to me... it's all over in the garden when wet weather sets in.