I has to remain centered. It only works in a square composition, though.
Why eliminate the blue? Unless your client is a geological society, of course. The blue/yellow contrast works so well in Russ' version, that it "jumped" at me when I saw it. I first couldn't believe my eyes, thinking that Russ (Russ!) must have cropped the image, that's how much the plant stood out. But then I realized that the old perception rule is to blame: cool colors recede, warm advance.