I am looking for any (relatively) ornamental
-native plants
-OR easy to propagate from seed plants
-OR easy to overwinter in zone 6/7 in an unheated shed
that would be okay to use in hanging baskets for our porch during warm season, part shade?
Right now, we overwinter our boston ferns that we divided. They had some dieback this winter, but are coming back strong. We have a few extra hanging baskets. I am not interested in repurchasing impatiens and what not every year. I found that it was too much shade for nasturtiums and morning glories (maybe not shade? But they didn't make it for whatever reason and died quickly after blooming). I like to have some hanging baskets for several reason. One is privacy (ferns really help); other is for hummingbirds and other birds to enjoy; I also think they look nice, at least with our current setup. It would be nice to have something with flowers to alternate with the ferns.
Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner
What about coleus? They are fine with shade, come in lots of shapes and color variations. They don't handle frost, but you could take cuttings before the cold weather comes, and keep them in the house. Put the baskets in the shed, cover them for added protection. If they don't make it through the winter you have the cuttings.
Good luck
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” — Abraham Lincoln