This tree is precocious and vigorous, and it has an semi-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. It's black knot resistance is considered to be fair. An excellent pollenizer, Vanier is recommended as a partner for most 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. The plums store well.

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.