sea holly?

My son has a plant in his garden that reminds me of a cyclamen when i look at and feel the leaves. They are the same colour as well. However, the plant has started to flower on about 2 feet long stems with what appears like small thistle heads. None have bloomed yet. Have checked the internet but havent found a sea holly with the same leaves. Can anyone identify the plant from my description please? Thank you in advance for any advice you can give.

Can you give us a photo, please?    Descriptions are not always helpful.

Bluemoon, Sea Holly is Eryngium which usually has toothed leaves but your description could well be Eryngium giganteum which has heart shaped leaves and the spikes will be around two feet tall or more.
Without more information this is a guess although without the flowers it just might look like Cyclamen leaves.

Frank.