Primocanes are grown and cropped for autumn production, then pruned and trained as for summer cropping raspberry varieties. Southland fruit does not ripen until late February and cropping finishes before Heritage. Southland yield is less than Heritage, especially in the first season. Bred at East Malling, U.K., 1974. Autumn Bliss produces an early autumn crop starting before and finishing after Southland.
Canes are numerous, moderately strong, upright and spiny.
Only minimal cane support is required. Fruit is large, sometimes hard to remove by hand, medium red in colour and of mild flavour. Fruit is not as firm as Heritage or Southland. This will often result in crumbly fruit, where small pieces of fruit detach from the remainder. Varieties better suited to New Zealand conditions and market opportunities are required.