From right to left: a variegated Cornus, Astilbe ("Sprite"?) in front, Hydrangea paniculata behind, a pink Phlox paniculata, a dark-leafed Weigela, perhaps a Hibiscus syriacus at the back, another darker pink Phlox and the large leaves are Cercis. Cercis canadensis probably. The green plant in front is maybe a Roscoea, but it is impossible to be sure.

Thanks, I an wondering what I should do with my phlox after the flowers are spent, do I cut the ends, or the entire stock?

X

Do I cut the flower pod off after its done?

There's a number of reasons to cut garden phlox back after flowering.

The number one reason with our own close herbaceous perennial planting, in our location and with our close maintenance, is to keep on top of powdery mildew. (I don't know how mildew-resistant the above cultivars are). I cutback and reduce the size of the garden phlox after they bloom and rebloom. After (re)blooming is done, I cut the garden phlox down to ground level and remove the cut stems; so no mildew spores can overwinter on phlox detritus.

The top picture seems to show a bed set up for low maintenance. Likely you won't have some of our other reasons to cut down garden phlox before freezing (e.g. to see the early, smaller spring bulbs). Perhaps keep an eye on your garden phlox after blooming for powdery mildew. If you see powdery mildew, that'd be the reason to remove (all) phlox stems before winter.

Perhaps it's close to the time to reduce and replant those those garden phlox in organic material-enriched soil. I do all that work after (re)blooming in the fall.