Cestrum nocturnum and snakes

I have just bought a rather large Cestrum nocturnum (Night Scented Jessamine, Queen of the Night). It's in a pot and I had stood it on the spot I am intending to plant it. This evening, after dark, I decided to go and try out the scent (which is exquisite). Realising that it needed watering I picked up the pot and dunked it in my water butt. I thought I could see something strange in the water so went to fetch a torch. There was a small snake (either Grass Snake or Western Whip Snake) swimming in the butt. It must have been in the pot or on the shrub. I shall not be doing things like that in the dark again!

When I bought the plant a few days ago I read the PF entries and there were a few mentioning that they had heard this plant attracts snakes. So it looks as if that might be right!
I'd be very interested to see if anyone else has had a snake experience with this plant?

I used to work at a nursery where they grew sempervivums in a crushed gravel mix soil in gallon pots ontop of rocks. My co-worker and I went to collect a few containers of plants for an order and when he lifted a container, a Western Garter snake slithered from the pot with my co-worker screaming and running the other way. I picked up the snake but my co-worker never picked plants from that area again.

At least mine wasn't poisonous, though a Whip snake can be aggressive. It was very young too - about 15" long and slim. Is a Western Garter poisonous? I like snakes, but I wasn't going to pick that one up in my hand. I used my pond net and let it free. Thanks for the story growin :)

No, Western Garter snakes aren't poisonous.

If you want to know more about whether this plant really attracts snakes or not, you might want to post in Fragrant Gardening, a ton of people who hang out there grow this one I've grown it and never found any snakes.

OK thanks ecrane3, just struck me as amusing that a couple of days after reading that it has that reputation, that a snake was in mine.

We have lots of snakes .....but never found one in mine ....interesting ....because there is information that they hate the smell of geraniums ....so I have many planted around the place....so it is possible they may be attracted to some..I must say I have never found one anywhere near the geraniums......from what I can figure out they get thirsty and go after any place there is the smell of water.....I have found them loitering near the leaking hose connection....on hot days and sunning themselves in warm places in cooler weather......pots are often wet underneath.....or have water in the dish underneath.......it is an interesting subject......my advice always make a lot of noise when in the garden ...it scares most critters away.

Ah, I didn't know that about geraniums. Anyway, yes this is probably pure coincidence, just strange. I tend to try not to make too much noise, cos I'd like to see most wildlife, but will be more careful in future ;o))