A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Landscape trials and triumphs Container Gardening Hanging Basket flower suggestions?

Hi: I just got some nice hanging baskets for free. Does anyone have suggestions for easy growing, easy to care for flowers that would be good for hanging baskets (and cheap!). Yes, I'm asking a lot, I know. I am in zone 9, I believe, and the porch where I plan to hang them gets morning sun, then shade the rest of the day. I've got some coconut fiber mat to place in them. Any extra tips on caring for hanging baskets appreciated.
Thanks!!

These will dry out very quickly. Those crystals that absorb then release water are very helpful.
Petunias in summer should maybe get enough sun in the mornings. And pansies in winter. Both of these will spill over in blooms.

The coconut fiber does dry out very quickly in the heat of summer - I can't even use them here in zone 6 because I would need to water them several times a day.

I have grown portulaca in hanging baskets that have done very well and comes in nice bright colors. They can take heat well. Impatiens can handle early morning sun and then shade for the rest of the day, but will wilt if it gets too hot. Some people like to grow geraniums in hanging pots - they shouldn't be too expensive.

Do you need to use the coconut fiber in the pots, or can you use soil instead - are they solid pots?

Thanks for the advice so far. They are open baskets. The lady I got them from said she used fiber in the bottom and I just happened to have some. I'm open to using anything suggested. I am trying to do everything organic but cheap.