I am also in
zone 9. You will do well to check out the sunset western gardening book, Enrique. It really breaks down our
zones to the smallest areas and what does well and where. It may be available in your library. Or a used bookstore for an affordable price. I have several dating from the 1930's I think. I love the older ones as well as the newer ones.
But for
flowers for a beginner, you should start with simple annuals. You can plant marigolds and zinnias of all types right now. There aren't many that you can't plant right now in your
zone except the winter/
spring bloomers like California poppies. Look at the backs of
seed packets that are in your local places now. They often have helpful
zones and planting times on them.