I bet huskers red would do fine-
I have also seen many native penstemons growing in the grassy bit of land that way-
There are some that can take it- but many more that can not- my story as well, here it zone 4.
Try searching for penstemon zone 3 and see what you find....
I found
Penstemon grandiflorus
Penstemon nitidus
Penstemon 'Party Dress'
Penstemon angustifolius
Penstemon hallii
Penstemon hirsutus
Penstemon barbatus 'Elfin Pink' Beardtongue- which is a big favorite of mine- although I lost it a year or 2 ago.
These were all on the first page- and many from nurseries offering these plants for sale on line.
I hope you can find what you like....

Julie

Thanks Julie!
I didn't know about penstemon untill I had read an article just recently. I will keep my eyes open for it. Thanks for you help.
Alisa

I have Husker's Red penstemon in my garden. It's been there for about 3 years now, it will be 4 this summer. And it does just fine. I am northwest of you, so you should be ok. The flowers aren't that great, but I love the red foliage.

Jenny P

The thing with penstemons they need great drainage, especially over winter, and don't really compete with other plants that well. Husker Red seems to be the exception and can do well in more typical garden settings. You maybe able to grow them better in western MN then warmer and wetter places farther east.

Ted

I have Huskers Red in my part-shady, clay-soiled garden. It's done quite well for me, flowers just fine, too. This will be year number 4 for it, I belive.

Linda

I have two Husker Reds - one in a bed that gets shade most of the day except the most intense flash of afternoon sun, kinda crummy drainage there too - and the other is on a HOT sandy bank in full sun out in that butterfly prairie bed along the driveway (now paved so even warmer!) They are both doing very well - though obviously the driveway one blooms much earlier.

-Marie

Looks like huskers red gets the vote. Thanks everyone.