"salvia cuspidata" subsp. "gilliesii" reaches up to in its native habitat—somewhat less in cultivation. new stems in early spring are light green and square, quickly becoming rounded, woody, and a soft gray color. the many upright stems in a small space give the plant a tall, airy appearance. the lanceolate-shaped, serrated leaves are graduated in size, with white undersides that have pronounced veining, and lightly cover the plant. there are 3–6 flowers in well-spaced whorls on branched inflorescences. the small flowers are long, and are a deep sky-blue with a purple undertone, held in a tiny calyx that is purple on the side turned to the sun and green underneath. the upper lip has a whitish dusting, the wider lower lip has two white lines that lead insects to the nectar.