What I mean by this is that a sun-loving perennial will grow taller and weaker when planted in a shady spot. If planted where it gets full sun, it won't need staking. The same goes for plants placed too close together. They grow tall and weak because of overcrowding and may need to be staked. There are several staking methods that can be used to protect plants from leaning or breaking.
Some methods are more suitable for some plants than others.
All should be put in place when plants are no more than six inches tall. These are often used for perennials with a few stems and heavy, large flowers, such as delphiniums and dahlias. Bamboo is most commonly used for stakes although it may not offer proper support for tall and heavy plants. A more expensive option is to use lightweight aluminum green stakes from garden centers and mail order outlets. I prefer stiff iron rods, similar to what are used to reinforce concrete.