This tree is precocious and vigorous, and it has an upright habit. It is very productive, tending to overcrop; thinning is necessary to prevent limb breakage and obtain good fruit size. Vanier is sensitive to mites and susceptible to bacterial spot. An excellent pollenizer, Vanier is recommended as a partner for all major Japanese plum varieties. It is not self-fertile, and will need to be partnered with a pollenizer. Suitable partners include Ozark Premier, Burbank, Vampire, and Myrobalan B. Vanier is not compatible with Early Golden or Shiro.

Vanier is a medium-sized fruit that is flame red with sweet, yellow, clingstone flesh. It grows in attractive grape-like clusters and matures midseason, about ten days before Stanley. It will need multiple harvests, making it a great backyard tree.

Vanier is the only Japanese plum to come from the Vineland breeding program in Ontario, Canada. It is a cross of Wickson and Burbank, released in 1984.