Holly is notoriously slow at first but will make. Good hedge in reasonable time. I prune mine as comes. Mimicking their natural,style. Are they the green ones or,variegated? Yep, patience is required. Use secateura to cut back to double shoots on stems...pinching back really. Don't let lanky shoots grow without pinching back. Don't know where in country,you are but you should be able to do this from early spring to late summer