In the form of espaliers plums are often trained against walls. Indeed this is the favorite way of producing fancy plums in England, and the same practise prevails to a considerable extent on the continent of Europe. In this country walls are not required, and in most cases would be of no advantage. Where it is desired to cover back fences or sides of buildings, however, plum trees in espalier form can be confidently recommended. The Domestica varieties of highest quality such as Bavay, Jefferson, Victoria, Pond, Bradshaw, and Coe's Golden Drop would have first choice. The Japanese varieties can also be grown on trellises or walls, but the freer forms, such as the fan espalier used for the peach, are better suited to their habits of growth.
The following varieties of plums can be recommended for dwarf bush forms:
| Green Gage | Bavay(Reine Claude) |
| Jefferson | McLaughlin |
| Bradshaw | Pond |
| Agen | Bleeker |
| Grand Duke | Italian Prune |
| Cluster Damson (or other Damsons) |
Such varieties of the Japanese class as Abundance, Chabot, Red June, Satsuma, Burbank may be grown on dwarf stocks in bush forms, but they are not altogether satisfactory. There are two objections against them: (1) It is difficult to keep them in restricted bounds, such a result being dependent on constant and severe heading in. (2) They overgrow the dwarf stocks very strongly and thus do not have a very firm hold on the ground. They are apt to blow over or break off after a few years, unless carefully staked up.
The following varieties can be recommended for upright cordons, in which form they will give moderate success if properly managed:
| Coe's Golden Drop | Bradshaw |
| Agen | Bavay |
| Victoria | Lombard |
| Grand Duke | Chabot |
| Abundance | Cheney |
| Burbank | Aubert (Yellow Egg or Magnum Bonum) |
Also most of the clean-growing Americana varieties such as Smith, Terry, Stoddard, etc.
Mr. Owen Thomas recommends for growing on walls in England the following varieties:
| Green Gage | Brahy's Green Gage |
| Brandy Gage | Bryanstone Gage |
| Denniston's Superb Gage | Oullin's Golden Gage |
| Comte d'Athem's Gage | Golden Transparent Gage |
| Transparent Gage | Reine Claude de Bavay |
| Transparent Late Gage | Coe's Golden Drop |
| Jefferson | Kirke's Blue |
| Reine Claude Violette | Washington |